Measles cases hit second-highest level since elimination in 2000

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/04/01/measles-surge-expands-15-states-closes-record/3331673002/

John Bacon, USA TODAY Published 1:04 p.m. ET April 1, 2019 | Updated 3:26 p.m. ET April 1, 2019

Almost 400 cases of the measles have been confirmed in 15 states this year as the disease nears record numbers since being declared eliminated almost two decades ago.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 387 measles cases have been confirmed from Jan. 1 to March 28, an increase of 73 cases last week alone.

The surge has thrown a spotlight on the anti-vaccination movement. Most people who contract measles have not been vaccinated, the CDC said, and measles are extremely contagious.

"If one person has it, up to 90 percent of the people close to that person who are not immune will also become infected," the CDC said.

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Almost 400 cases of the measles have been confirmed in 15 states this year as the disease nears record numbers since being declared eliminated almost two decades ago.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 387 measles cases have been confirmed from Jan. 1 to March 28, an increase of 73 cases last week alone.

The surge has thrown a spotlight on the anti-vaccination movement. Most people who contract measles have not been vaccinated, the CDC said, and measles are extremely contagious.

"If one person has it, up to 90 percent of the people close to that person who are not immune will also become infected," the CDC said.

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Common measles symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough and a rash that can spread across the entire body. A very small number of those infected can develop pneumonia, swelling of the brain or other serious symptoms. Measles can cause pregnant women to deliver prematurely.

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