The outbreak of measles in the United States has now risen to nearly 900 lawsuits in 30 states. This is more than three times higher than the total number of cases in 2024. The CDC reported on Friday.
Texas has remained the epicenter of the disease with 646 cases since late January, including 22 new cases over the past three days.
However, the outbreak has spread across the country, with six new states filing lawsuits since last week.
To date, two unvaccinated elementary school students in Texas have had three deaths, including two doctors without known underlying conditions and an unvaccinated adult in New Mexico.
Almost all infected (97%) have not been vaccinated, according to CDC data.
In New York there are four confirmed cases, including three of the Big Apple. In response, the state’s Ministry of Health Measles Travel Advisory.
New Jersey has also reported three cases.
Children ages 5-19 are the most infected, accounting for 38% of all cases. However, hospitalization is the highest for children under the age of 5, with 20% required to be hospitalized.
In all ages, 11% of the disease had to be hospitalized for treatment.
This year’s surge triples the total count reported in 2024, when the US recorded 285 lawsuits. The CDC also said the total count could be even higher as there are no possible cases in the update.
The outbreak shows no signs of slowing down. Authorities report more and more new cases every few days.
Measles is one of the most infectious diseases in the world and can lead to dangerous complications such as pneumonia, blindness, swelling of the brain, and death.
