The CDC reported 40 more measles cases on July 2, “boosting the number of infections this year to 1,267, which is just 8 shy of passing the total in 2019, which was the highest since the disease was eliminated in the country in 2000.” CIDRAP has the news.
The large outbreak in West Texas that was responsible for many of the cases in the U.S. this year has “slowed substantially,” but “the number of smaller outbreaks and travel-related cases continues to grow.” There are now 27 total outbreaks of measles in the U.S., and 88% of confirmed cases of the disease are linked to an outbreak. There were 16 total outbreaks throughout 2024.
The uptick in cases in the U.S. is mirrored in Canada and Mexico. Canada has confirmed 3,170 cases, which is the most cases “since the country eliminated the disease in 1998.” Mexico has recorded 2,597 cases, most of which are centered in Chihuahua state. Measles cases across the continent “are up 29-fold compared to the same period in 2024.”
Health officials in the U.S. continue to urge uptake of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is “safe and highly effective.” Wyoming reported its first case of the disease since 2010. New cases have also been reported in Utah, Michigan, Florida, and Kansas.
Matt MacKenzie | Associate Editor
Matt is Associate Editor for Healthcare Purchasing News.
