The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is urging healthcare providers to stay alert for measles cases due to a growing number of infections, expressing their concerns.
Between Dec. 1, 2023, and Jan. 23, 2024, the CDC documented a total of 23 measles cases in the United States. Out of these, seven cases were reported among international travelers, and there were two separate outbreaks with more than five cases each. During January, several states and cities across the country have reported cases of interest.
A significant number of cases were observed among children and teenagers who had not received the measles vaccine, according to the CDC.
A recent investigation by CBS News has uncovered a concerning finding: over 8,500 schools in the United States are at risk of experiencing measles outbreaks due to low vaccination rates. The report emphasizes the concerning vaccination rates among kindergartners, which are below the CDC’s recommended threshold of 95% for community protection against measles.
CBS conducted a thorough analysis of data from numerous public and private schools in 19 states and communities that provide this information to parents and the public.
According to the CDC, measles, which had been eliminated in the United States in 2000, started to resurface in 2010 due to global challenges in eradicating the virus.
In 2019, there was a significant outbreak with 1,274 cases reported across 31 states. The majority of these cases occurred among individuals who had not received the measles vaccination.
Amidst the rising number of outbreaks worldwide, health officials are once again urging the public to prioritize vaccination.
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