Measles Cases Surge Across U.S., Reaching Record Highs
The United States is experiencing a significant measles outbreak, wiht case counts climbing to levels not seen in decades. Experts believe officially reported numbers represent a ample undercount, potentially reaching as high as 5,000 cases this year. The resurgence is linked to declining vaccination rates and concerns surrounding federal health leadership.
The CDC is working to improve disease tracking through a new National Disease Reporting System, intended to collect data from states, hospitals, and other sources to provide critical facts for public health authorities and providers. Though, current surveillance systems are imperfect, and the outbreak underscores the importance of widespread vaccination.
“We’re in the midst of a measles epidemic,” said Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center and an attending physician in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “We should have an administration that stands up clearly and definitively and holds press conferences saying,’Vaccinate your children. These are preventable illnesses.’ “
Dr. Offit attributes the current trends to an “undervaccinated population” and suggests that actions by U.S. Department of Health and Human services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., including cuts to federal health agency workers and a lack of full endorsement of the MMR vaccine, have exacerbated the problem.
A recent poll indicates declining trust in Kennedy’s leadership on vaccine policy and his overall performance as health secretary.CNN reached out to HHS for comment but did not receive a response.
