Measles Cases in the U.S. Surge in 2023
ATLANTA — The U.S. has already seen over 1,100 measles cases this year, as reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday. This alarming figure has public health officials on high alert.
The CDC notes that, for every 1,000 children infected with measles, one child could develop encephalitis—a serious brain swelling condition. Moreover, up to three of every 1,000 infected kids might die from the disease.
This year’s trend suggests that the U.S. is heading toward another record-breaking number of measles cases. In just the first eight weeks of the year, there were 1,136 reported cases by February 26, which already exceeds typical annual totals by six times. A tracker from Johns Hopkins University has even documented higher annual case numbers than the CDC reported.
Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, describes the current rise in cases as “disappointing and depressing.” This is particularly concerning given that a safe and effective vaccine exists to prevent measles and its complications.
He emphasizes the severity of measles, stating, “It can strike any healthy, normal child in its most severe fashion.” Alarmingly, around 96% of reported cases this year have involved individuals who were either unvaccinated or had not received both doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. More than 80% of cases are among children and teens, with about one in four cases involving children under five.
Last year saw nearly 2,300 cases— the highest annual total since 1991 and considerably more than any year since measles was declared eliminated in 2000. Tragically, three deaths occurred last year: two children in Texas and one adult in New Mexico, all unvaccinated.
Dr. Paul Offit, an infectious disease physician in Philadelphia, expressed concern about the potential for more deaths. “When more people are choosing not to vaccinate their children, you’re going to see more disease, more suffering, more hospitalization, and more death,” he states. He underlines that parents’ vaccine hesitancy puts children at risk for a preventable disease.
So far this year, over half of U.S. states have reported measles cases, with at least three significant outbreaks across the nation.
Major Outbreaks Across the U.S.
A notable outbreak occurring in South Carolina has led to at least 985 cases since October, particularly concentrated in Spartanburg County, where vaccination rates are low. Similar to national trends, over 93% of cases in the state are among the unvaccinated, according to local health department data.
While no deaths have been recorded in South Carolina, severe complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis have been reported. Several pregnant women also required treatment after potential exposure, according to state health officials.
Local Efforts to Combat Outbreaks
Dr. Linda Bell, South Carolina’s State Epidemiologist, commented on the need for increased vaccination to protect vulnerable populations like infants and pregnant women. Recently, Prisma Health, a healthcare system in the state, implemented a policy mandating masks in emergency and labor units to help prevent the virus’s spread.
Fortunately, the number of new measles cases in South Carolina has started to decline, with under two dozen reported last week— a significant drop from nearly 250 cases during the outbreak’s peak in mid-January. Bell credits public health initiatives for this positive trend.
However, she cautions that this situation isn’t over. “This is not over yet. It’s not nearly over yet,” she stated, emphasizing that pockets of unvaccinated individuals still pose a risk for further outbreaks.
The health department is dedicating considerable resources to the outbreak, including around 90 staff members focused on measles responses, with assistance from the CDC Foundation to enhance their efforts.
Despite the improvements, measles remains a pressing public health concern. Further outbreaks are reported in states like North Carolina, Washington, and California, with North Carolina alone seeing more than five times its average annual cases since December.
Similarly, ongoing outbreaks in Utah and Arizona report hundreds of cases, and a recent increase in cases around Ave Maria University in Florida has raised concerns, with students being the primary demographic affected.
Who is Affected by Measles?
While recent cases predominantly affect children, experts warn that adults are also at risk and can face severe complications from measles. Dr. Schaffner points out that younger individuals are particularly vulnerable due to increasing vaccine hesitancy.
Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, but ongoing transmission jeopardizes that status. The Pan American Health Organization is set to convene in April to officially assess the situation.
