Fueled by outbreaks in a number of states, together with a big one centered in west Texas, the nation’s measles whole reached 607 circumstances at present, with 124 new circumstances reported over the previous week, based on an replace at present from the US Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC).
The nation is battling its worst spike in circumstances since 2019, fueled by outbreaks in communities the place vaccine uptake is decrease and by elevated world unfold of the virus. The CDC mentioned 2 extra jurisdictions reported circumstances this week, elevating the entire to 22—21 states and New York Metropolis. Yet another outbreak was reported, making six to date, and 93% of circumstances confirmed to date are a part of outbreaks.
Of the entire sufferers, 97% had been unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination statuses, and 74 (12%) have been hospitalized. The nation is on observe to go the 1,274 circumstances reported in 2019, a yr when a surge of measles exercise threatened the nation’s measles elimination standing, which it earned in 2000.
Texas whole climbs to 481 circumstances
The Texas Division of State Well being Providers (TDSHS) at present reported 59 extra circumstances, pushing the state’s whole since January to 481 in 19 counties. Fourteen extra folks had been hospitalized for his or her infections, bringing that whole to 56.
Of the state’s whole, 471 sufferers had been unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination standing.
Although most circumstances are reported in Gaines County on the border with New Mexico, a couple of linked to the outbreak have been reported in counties in central Texas, together with Brown and Erath counties.
In a brand new improvement, the Harris County Public Well being (HCPH), house to Houston within the southeastern a part of the state, mentioned it’s investigating a confirmed measles case in a toddler who lives within the northwestern a part of the county and has no journey historical past.
The HCPH mentioned the case was confirmed by a industrial lab and awaits secondary affirmation by the TDSHS. To date, it isn’t clear if the case is linked to the outbreak in west Texas. The case marks Harris County’s first since 2019.
In the meantime, the New Mexico Division of Well being (NMDH) reported six extra circumstances, elevating the state’s whole to 54. The New Mexico outbreak is proscribed to 2 counties—Lea and Eddy— that border the Texas outbreak scorching spot. Among the many 54 sufferers, 48 had been unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination standing.
Oklahoma, one other state with circumstances linked to the Texas outbreak, reported no new circumstances at present, conserving its whole at 10, which incorporates 8 confirmed and a couple of possible.
Circumstances rise in Tennessee
Outbreaks are occurring in different states, although it’s not clear if all are linked to the Texas occasion.
The Tennessee Division of Well being (TDH) mentioned this week that three extra circumstances have been confirmed in center Tennessee, bringing the state’s whole to 4.
One of many newly confirmed circumstances is linked to the primary Tennessee case, which was confirmed on March 21, and the publicity supply is unknown. The TDH added that no different particulars can be found in regards to the different circumstances.
