Measles Cases Rise Nationally, Sparking Vaccination Concerns
Measles, a highly contagious viral illness, is experiencing a resurgence across the United States. As of September 30th, the centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 1,544 cases nationally in 2024, a notable increase from the 285 cases reported throughout 2023. The CDC is also tracking probable cases, but its official count relies on lab confirmation.
The virus spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and is characterized by a rash that typically begins on the face and then spreads downwards. Measles can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, hospitalization, brain swelling potentially causing deafness, pregnancy complications, seizures, and a prolonged weakening of the immune system, increasing susceptibility to other infections. Tragically, three deaths have been attributed to measles this year.
Currently, there is no specific treatment for measles; medical care focuses on managing symptoms.
The outbreak is widespread, with cases identified in 42 jurisdictions: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York state, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Twenty-one of the cases involved international visitors.
Data reveals a strong correlation between vaccination status and infection. Ninety-two percent of cases occurred in individuals who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown. Four percent of those infected had received one dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, and another 4% had received both recommended doses. Nearly 40% of cases were found in school-aged children (5-19 years old), while 27% were in children under 5. Twelve percent of those infected required hospitalization due to the severity of their symptoms.
Federal health officials are strongly urging parents to vaccinate their children against measles. Acting CDC Director Jim O’Neill emphasized that vaccines protect not only individual children but also contribute to “community immunity.”
Vaccination rates in Utah are raising concerns. According to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, during the 2024-25 school year, approximately 10% of in-person kindergarten students either had an exemption for the MMR vaccine or lacked documentation of vaccination. 9% of in-person kindergarten students had an exemption to any school-required vaccine, and this figure rose to 10.1% when including students in online schools.
A recent report by NBC News and Stanford highlighted low vaccination rates in Washington County, Utah, where approximately 79% of kindergartners are vaccinated against measles – a rate only slightly higher than Gaines County, Texas, the epicenter of an earlier 2024 outbreak. Experts state that a 95% vaccination rate is necessary to achieve herd immunity.
David Heaton, public information officer for the Southwest Utah Public Health Department, noted that the region had not seen a measles case in his 18 years with the department until recently, attributing the current risk to low vaccine uptake. Health officials in Arizona and Utah are collaborating to address the ongoing outbreak.
