Not Every Case of Measles Is On the Record

Not Every Case of Measles Is On the Record

The current number of measles cases is likely higher than what has been reported by health authorities, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) official speaking at an agency meeting, as reported by CBS. As of April 11, 2025, a total of 712 confirmed measles cases were reported across 7 outbreaks with 97% of the cases occurring in people who are unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccine status. At least 70% of …

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CDC Reminds Providers Of Measles Protocol

CDC Reminds Providers Of Measles Protocol

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this week sent an alert to providers concerning the ongoing measles outbreak. While the risk to the general population currently remains low, the agency reminded stakeholders that the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best way for patients to protect themselves against the disease. At least 3 unvaccinated people have died from measles, and cases have grown to more than 600 as of April 4. …

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New Outlook Considers 3 Total MMR Vaccines, Starting at 6 Months

New Outlook Considers 3 Total MMR Vaccines, Starting at 6 Months

Pediatric infectious disease experts are considering revising recommendations to encourage an early, additional dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine for 6- to 11-month-old infants in high-risk areas, according to MedPage Today. The shift would change the 2-dose regimen per lifetime to 3 doses, while also getting an earlier start. Public health leaders recently discussed in a JAMA perspective the possibility of expanding vaccine recommendations for infants who live in regions with known …

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Measles Outbreak Could Drag on For a Year: Forecast

Measles Outbreak Could Drag on For a Year: Forecast

The surging measles outbreak—now spanning 18 states as of March 20—may continue for about a year, according to health experts in a CNN report. Weekly totals reached 378 confirmed cases nationwide. By comparison, the 2024 total case count for the entire year was 285. Although 95% of the current cases are in patients who were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status, a few were reported in people who say they had at least 1 dose …

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More Measles Cases Expected in Texas Outbreak

More Measles Cases Expected in Texas Outbreak

A measles outbreak in Texas grew to 58 cases over the course of about a month as of February 18, 2025, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. The first 2 cases were detected in January. As of this week, the vast majority of cases were reported in Gaines County. All but 4 cases involve either unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status, according to the department, and confirmed cases are primarily …

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Positive Measles Test May Actually Indicate Recent Vaccine

Positive Measles Test May Actually Indicate Recent Vaccine

A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests that simultaneously test for multiple causes of a rash may show false positives for measles in children who recently had a dose of the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine. About approximately 5% of kids experience a rash 7–10 days after the MMR shot. A study of 1,548 syndromic PCR panels from the Tennessee Department of Health found 14 children …

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Could the US Lose Its Measles Elimination Status?

Could the US Lose Its Measles Elimination Status?

Rising measles outbreaks in the United States have raised concerns about whether the country is losing its status of having “eliminated” the disease, according to the Hill. As of March 7, 2024, 45 measles cases were reported across 17 states. Florida has reported 10 cases in 2 counties, prompting the Florida Surgeon General to recommend unvaccinated children should stay home for 3 weeks, aligning with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, but it …

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Measles Outbreaks Prompt Calls For Action

Measles Outbreaks Prompt Calls For Action

World Health Organization (WHO) leaders are predicting half of the world will be at high risk of measles outbreaks by the end of the year unless preventive measures ramp up quickly. Measles cases have been increasing across the world mostly because of missed vaccinations, and cases last year increased 79%, according to WHO data reported by Reuters. The measles virus is highly contagious and mostly affects children under 5 years old. According to the Centers for …

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Measles Cases Reported in 8 States And Counting

Measles Cases Reported in 8 States And Counting

Cases of measles have been cropping up in Delaware, New Jersey, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington with additional cases reported in the past week in Ohio and Maryland. In the Maryland case, the department of health warned the public about possible exposure at Dulles International Airport. Officials in Philadelphia at the end of January confirmed at least 9 known cases in that city alone. It’s concerning because measles was declared eliminated in 2000 by the Centers for …

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Measles Cases Skyrocket; Are Anti-Immigration, Antivaccine Activists to Blame?

Measles Cases Skyrocket; Are Anti-Immigration, Antivaccine Activists to Blame?

Minnesota has seen a huge uptick in measles cases lately, coinciding statistically with a drop in immunization rates in the state. In addition to the antivaccine movement going on all over the country, Minnesota has a subgroup of activists who are also anti-immigration that has tried to convince Somali immigrants that vaccines are dangerous as a way to dissuade more Somalis from moving in. The first measles cases cropped up a month ago, and public …

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