The U.S. measles total grew by 22 more cases last week, “a slowing pace but similar to the week before.” CIDRAP has the news.
1,046 cases have been reported from 31 jurisdictions, “and 92% of the nation’s cases are part of outbreaks, which remain at 14. The country remains on pace to pass the record 1,274 cases reported in 2019, which was the most reported since the disease was eliminated in the United States in 2000.” Of the people infected, “96% were unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status.”
The pace of new detections in West Texas centered around the largest outbreak of the disease in the country “continues to trend downward.” The outbreak total stands at 728 cases, and only six more were reported from May 20 to May 23. Williamson County in Texas also reported its first case of the disease. The New Mexico Department of Health also reported four more cases, “putting its total at 78.”
A case in Anchorage, Alaska is being investigated now, and officials said “there is a risk of wider exposure, given that the patient was at three public locations while infectious.” The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment also reported a case involving an out-of-state traveler who used the airport and stayed at a nearby hotel. North Dakota’s total number of cases was also raised by four, to 19.
Matt MacKenzie | Associate Editor
Matt is Associate Editor for Healthcare Purchasing News.
