The number of confirmed measles cases across the United States has reached a new high of 971, the worst outbreak since the virus was declared eliminated from the country in 2000.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the new figure Thursday, the highest since 1992, which saw 2,237 cases. Public health officials have attributed the sharp rise in cases this year, which isn’t yet half over, to parents refusing to vaccinate their children.
“Again, I want to reassure parents that vaccines are safe, they do not cause autism. The greater danger is the disease that vaccination prevents,” said CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield. “Your decision to vaccinate will protect your family’s health and your community’s well-being.”
Outbreaks in New York City and Rockland County, N.Y., have led to more than 800 cases combined since October 2018. In New York City, the virus had primarily affected predominantly Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods in Brooklyn, but cases have recently been identified in Staten Island and Manhattan.
Measles cases have fluctuated over the last four decades. In 1989 and 1990, there was a massive resurgence to nearly 18,000 and 28,000 people being infected respectively. That led public health officials to recommend people receive two vaccines to prevent measles.
The CDC has stressed that measles is preventable and was declared eliminated in 2000 thanks to widespread availability of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, as well as robust public health systems across the country to respond to cases quickly.
CDC officials warned that measles may no longer be considered eliminated in the U.S. if the illness continues to circulate through the summer and fall.
Kimberly Leonard contributed to this report.
