US measles cases to rise in 2024, CDC warns | Smart News

In the 1950s, the measles virus infected an estimated 3 to 4 million Americans each year, resulting in 400 to 500 deaths and 48,000 hospitalizations.But since then first measles vaccine Measles was developed in 1963, the number of infections decreased dramatically, and measles was declared eradicated in the United States in 2000. Since the turn of the 21st century, the number of infections has decreased significantly in this country. Several years with fewer than 100 cases of measles.

But now, the number of measles cases recorded in the United States in the first quarter of 2024 was significantly higher than in recent years, according to a new report from the association. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Since January 1, 2020, Americans have reported a total of 338 cases, with 97 of those cases, or 29% of the total, occurring between early 2024 and March 28, according to the report. It is said that it has occurred. As of April 11, the number of infections in 2024 is rose to 121.

“What surprised me about 2024 was that we saw a significant increase.” John Brownsteinsays an epidemiologist at Boston Children's Hospital. ABC NewsMary Kekatos. “This is a worrying number because it shows a trend that is moving in the wrong direction for us. It's a virus.”

Measles continues to be considered eliminated in the United States, meaning there has been no sustained chain of transmission for 12 consecutive months, with the longest chain lasting 63 days from 2020 to 2023. . The high level of immunity from the vaccine also means the risk of widespread infection is low.

“However, the rapid increase in the number of measles cases reported in the first quarter of 2024 represents a new threat to eradication,” the authors write.

To prevent the spread of measles, countries need to maintain high measles vaccination coverage and under-vaccinated communities need to be immunized, the report says. More than 90% of people infected since the beginning of 2020 were either unvaccinated or their vaccination status was unknown.

“I think people need to remember that this is a preventable disease.” susan hassigInfectious disease researchers at Tulane University tell Devi Shastri and Mike Stobbe. Associated Press (AP). “This is a potentially dangerous disease for children.”

measles It is a highly contagious virus that causes symptoms such as high fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, and a rash with small red spots. It can lead to serious health complications such as pneumonia and pneumonia, which young children are more likely to experience. brain inflammation.Approximately 1 in 5 unvaccinated measles patients are hospitalized, and approximately 1 to 3 in 1,000 infected children are hospitalized. Death from respiratory or neurological complications.

virus spread in the air When an infected person coughs or sneezes, up to 90% of people are also likely to become infected if those around them are not protected.contagious virus You can stay in the room for 2 hours.

In 2019, two outbreaks in undervaccinated areas of New York State and New York City caused a significant spike in cases, threatening the status of measles elimination in the United States.In 2020, all cases Twelve of the 13 cases were reported before the coronavirus lockdown began in March.

The 97 cases in the first quarter of 2024 is 17 times the average number of cases in the first quarter from 2020 to 2023, according to a new report.

For all cases since 2020, the median patient age was 3 years. Unvaccinated people accounted for 68% of all cases, and vaccination status was unknown for 23% of infected people. Of the 155 people hospitalized with measles, 70% were children under the age of 5, and 92% were unvaccinated or their status was unknown. No deaths were reported.

Nearly all cases were associated with importation after international travel, and the majority of these cases occurred among U.S. residents who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown. CDC recommends that children be vaccinated before traveling internationally because measles incidence is increasing and vaccination rates are decreasing worldwide, increasing the risk of importation.

“Public health jurisdictions are reaching communities and populations with low vaccination rates, and we feel this approach is effective.” Marcus Plesciasaid the chief medical officer of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. CNNDeirdre McPhillips. “However, increasing misinformation about measles vaccination could undermine these efforts and ultimately jeopardize measles elimination status.”

Authorities want at least 95 percent of the population to be vaccinated, but vaccination rates have fallen below this threshold for the third year in a row.Scope of vaccination for kindergarten children down from 95.2% 93.1 percent for the 2019-2020 school year and 93.1 percent for the 2022-2023 school year. Vaccination rate estimates are below 90 percent in 12 states and Washington, D.C., according to a new report.

The CDC recommends that all children receive their first vaccination. Measles, mumps, rubella vaccine The second and final vaccination is given between 12 and 15 months of age, and between 4 and 6 years of age.