U.S. measles count this year is already higher than all of 2018

San Jose Mercury News - 4/1/2019

April 01-- Apr. 1--The number of measles cases in the United States during the first three months of this year has already surpassed the count for all of 2018, health officials say.

There have been 387 cases of measles across the country through March, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. During all of 2018, there were only 372 cases. The numbers are likely to change, but this year's tally is already the highest since 2014, when 667 cases were reported. The spike has been driven by outbreaks in several states, including California, New York, Illinois, Texas, and Washington.

Typical measles symptoms, including high fever, rash all over the body, stuffy nose and reddened eyes, usually disappear without treatment within two or three weeks, according to medical experts, though a severe case of the measles can lead to death.

Most people who get measles have not been vaccinated. The measles vaccine is 97% effective, according to the CDC.

In the U.S., most outbreaks are sparked by travelers who picked up the virus in countries where measles is more common. Locally, an international traveler infected with measles visited 20 places across the South Bay and a Santa Clara County resident was infected with measles while overseas. Nearly 83,000 people contracted measles in Europe in 2018, the highest number in a decade, according to the World Health Organization.

Since 1963, when the vaccine was introduced, the numbers of cases and deaths from measles in the United States and other developed countries have plummeted, CNN reported. Prior to the vaccine, measles caused approximately 450 to 500 deaths each year in the United States.

The CDC advises that you make sure you and your family are up to date on measles vaccination before you travel abroad.

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