The United States has seen more than 1,100 measles cases this year, based on Friday’s report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This figure raises concerns among public health officials about what might come next.
As noted by the CDC, among every 1,000 children infected with measles, one could develop encephalitis, a serious brain swelling condition. Tragically, up to 3 in every 1,000 infected children may succumb to the disease.
This year’s statistics indicate that the US might face another record in measles cases, with 1,136 reported in just the first eight weeks. That’s already six times what’s typical for an entire year. The Johns Hopkins University Center for Outbreak Response Innovation has even recorded a higher annual total than that reported by the CDC.
Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, expressed disappointment about the current trend of measles cases in the US, especially given the availability of a safe and effective vaccine.
“Measles is a serious infection that we should be doing our best to prevent,” he emphasized, warning that it can affect any healthy child severely.
Interestingly, around 96% of the measles cases this year have occurred among individuals who either haven’t received the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine or did not complete the recommended vaccine regimen. The majority—over 80%—are in children and teens, with a significant portion in those under five.
Last year, nearly 2,300 measles cases were reported, the highest since 1991, and significantly more than any year since measles was declared eliminated in 2000.
Regrettably, three individuals died from measles last year: two children in Texas and one unvaccinated adult in New Mexico.
Dr. Paul Offit, an infectious disease physician at the Vaccine Education Center, notes the troubling statistic, indicating that one to three deaths per 1,000 cases could become a reality again, calling it “unconscionable.”
With over half of the states reporting measles cases this year, at least three major outbreaks are currently expanding across the country.
A notable outbreak in upstate South Carolina has resulted in at least 979 cases since its onset in October, according to the state’s health department.
This outbreak has been primarily in Spartanburg County, known for low vaccination rates. In line with national trends, over 93% of the measles cases in South Carolina involve unvaccinated people, per the state’s data.
While no deaths have emerged yet from this latest outbreak, severe complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis have been reported. Several pregnant women also required treatment to mitigate risks after exposure.
Dr. Linda Bell, the South Carolina State Epidemiologist, highlighted the importance of increasing vaccination coverage to protect those who cannot be vaccinated, like infants and individuals with weakened immune systems.
Recently, Prisma Health in South Carolina enacted a policy requiring masks in emergency departments and labor and delivery units to lower transmission risks.
Fortunately, the rate of new measles cases in South Carolina has begun to decline, dropping from nearly 250 cases in a week at the outbreak’s peak to fewer than 20 last week.
This downward trend is somewhat unexpected, prompting Dr. Bell to commend public health efforts that have facilitated the quick identification of cases and exposure guidelines.
“Our main goal has been to control the spread of measles and protect people from illness,” she stated firmly.
To further bolster vaccination rates, the health department administered almost 17,000 MMR vaccines in January. This figure marks one of the state’s most successful vaccination months in years, though Dr. Bell asserted that more work is needed to boost coverage.
“This isn’t over yet. There are still pockets of undervaccinated people, and they remain at risk,” she cautioned.
The health department continues to deploy about 90 staff members chiefly focused on the measles outbreak, with roughly a third dedicated to contact tracing efforts.
Support from a dozen entry-level epidemiologists from the CDC Foundation is also anticipated, aimed at enhancing investigation and data management resources.
The South Carolina health department has requested assistance from CDC field teams to help analyze epidemiological data.
As cases decrease, opportunities arise to utilize collected data to improve public health responses, Dr. Bell mentioned.
However, ongoing outbreaks across other regions present a worrying scenario. States like North Carolina, Washington, and California have reported measles cases linked to the South Carolina outbreak. For instance, North Carolina has logged 23 cases since December, a dramatic uptick compared to the last decade.
Meanwhile, outbreaks persist in various regions, including one along the Utah-Arizona border and another that has rapidly expanded in Southwest Florida.
The recent Florida outbreak has been concentrated around Ave Maria University, a private Catholic institution in Collier County. Data shows at least 83 measles cases linked to this area this past month.
Initial reports indicate that most cases involve university students, but official communication from the institution has seized. Current information has transitioned to referencing the Florida health department, which lacks certain details on age or vaccination status.
While children largely account for recent measles cases, experts caution that adults are equally at risk of severe consequences from the infection.
“Anyone unvaccinated can fall ill with measles,” Dr. Schaffner noted, adding that older individuals are especially susceptible to severe outcomes like pneumonia.
Although vaccine hesitancy has increased, highlighting more young children in danger, Dr. Schaffner reassured parents about vaccine safety.
Ultimately, while measles was declared eliminated in the US in 2000, its resurgence threatens that status, with the Pan American Health Organization set to convene in April to make a formal assessment.
