(HorizonPost.com) – The United States has already reported 60 suspected or confirmed cases of measles so far this year, already surpassing the 2023 nationwide total of 58 cases, CBS News reported.
Measles cases have been reported in 17 states so far, as health officials worldwide are dealing with multiple outbreaks.
With spring break travel in full swing, officials from the Centers for Disease Control are urging Americans to make sure they are current on vaccines that protect against measles before traveling out of the country.
Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, the director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases told CBS News that given the global outbreaks and the declining rates of vaccination in the US, addressing vaccinations for measles was urgent.
Measles cases have been reported in Chicago, New York City, Florida, Arizona, California, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington state.
Chicago, Illinois reported the most cases, with 12 infections, 10 of which were reported in migrants living in city shelters, according to a spokesperson from Chicago’s health department.
A team from the CDC was sent to Chicago last Tuesday to investigate the measles outbreak and work with city officials to mitigate the spread.
Florida reported the second-highest number of cases, with 10 measles infections reported so far this year. Nine of the cases were reported in Broward County following a measles outbreak in a Miami-area elementary school among unvaccinated students.
Dr. Daskalakis said the case count nationwide remained too small for officials to release demographic trends but added that investigations to collect data were ongoing.
Based on the data collected so far, the majority of reported cases are linked to unvaccinated individuals who traveled out of the country and returned to the US carrying the virus.
The CDC last weekend updated its guidance to encourage Americans who plan to travel to check with their doctors at least six weeks before they leave to ensure they are up to date on their shots.
Of the cases nationwide, 58 have been confirmed while two remain suspected cases.
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