Measles cases continue to climb across the country, as the CDC announced 29 more cases last week, raising this year’s total to 1,197 infections. Less than half way through the year, health officials have confirmed almost as many cases as we saw in all of 2019. That year the US confirmed the most cases since measles was declared eliminated in 2000.
This year 35 states have reported cases so far, Arizona being the latest state to report infections. School-aged kids have been hit the hardest of any age group, accounting for 37% of all cases this year. Adults age 20 and older make up exactly 1/3 of infections. Children under 5 years of age account for 29 percent of cases.
The CDC recommends that all people ensure they’re fully vaccinated for measles prior to traveling internationally. The health agency also recommends an additional measles vaccine dose for some “people going to or living in areas in the United States with ongoing community-wide measles transmission”.
