The US reports almost 60 measles cases so far this year

Although measles was declared to be eliminated in the United States in 2000, a decline in childhood vaccinations and an increase in travelers bringing the virus into the country has caused sporadic outbreaks to occur. In 2023, there was a total of 58 reported measles cases nationwide.

So far this year, there have been 58 reported cases of measles in 17 states, with an additional two cases suspected in Ohio and Arizona. Illinois has reported the highest number of cases so far with 12 cases in Chicago, including 10 in a migrant shelter. Other states with high measles cases include Florida (10), Pennsylvania (nine), and Washington (six).

Currently, CDC is assisting local public health officials in Chicago manage the ongoing outbreak. The CDC team is working closely with both the city and state health departments to identify people at risk, provide clinical guidance, and more.

According to Demetre Daskalakis, director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, the agency will likely use lessons learned from Chicago's measles response to help other cities.

With the current rise in measles cases, there is some concern about the United States losing its elimination status for the virus. However, Daskalakis noted that losing that status would require months of sustained measles transmission in a community, which has not yet occurred.

"We're being, with our local and state health officials, being really persistent on the issue that we address these outbreaks, as well as the bigger picture of catch up vaccination," he said. "But I think that this is the time to act so we don't get anywhere close to losing our measles elimination."

Federal officials encourage vaccination, caution when traveling

According to Daskalakis, most measles cases this year have been linked to unvaccinated Americans returning to the United States with the virus. So far, CDC data shows that at least six measles cases this year were among individuals who had been exposed to the virus while traveling.

"Measles is a[n] easily preventable disease with a readily available and safe vaccine," he said. "And so, as we are seeing more cases in the U.S., we have the technology and the ability to be able to prevent measles."

Last week, CDC updated its guidance on how Americans should handle the potential risk of measles while traveling abroad. So far, 46 countries, including Russia and Malaysia, are facing large outbreaks of measles, but the agency notes that the virus is also a threat in other parts of the world.

"CDC recommends all travelers are fully vaccinated against measles when traveling to any international destination," the agency said.

Currently, CDC recommends Americans who plan to travel abroad to consult with their doctors at least six weeks before they go if they are unsure if they are up to date with their measles vaccinations. This is two weeks longer than the one-month recommendation the agency initially made in November.

"These fires are popping up all across the world, really creating the sparks that can kindle these small outbreaks in the U.S., with our goal of not letting that spark go beyond a small outbreak and kindle like a larger fire," Daskalakis said. (Tin, CBS News, 3/15; Gleeson, Forbes, 3/18; Foster, HealthDay, 3/18)

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