By Kate Anderson
Over 1,000 measles cases have been reported across the U.S., indicating that this year’s numbers could potentially surpass the current record in 2019 for the largest outbreak since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000, according to CNN.
The current outbreak, which started in Texas and has now spread to surrounding states such as Oklahoma, New Mexico and likely Kansas, reached at least 1,002 cases on May 7, CNN reported. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website states that as of May 1, confirmed cases total 935 in 30 jurisdictions, with the previous record reaching 1,274 cases in 2019. (RELATED: ‘Say The V Word’: RFK’s Approach To Solve Measles, Autism Epidemic Raises Questions From MAHA)
There have been 121 hospitalizations since the outbreak started in January, with the largest age group hospitalized being under five years of age, the CDC reported. The outbreak has resulted in three deaths, two of which were children, according to NBC News.
MIAMI, FL – JUNE 02: A doctor wears a stethoscope as he sees a patient for a measles vaccination during a visit to the Miami Children’s Hospital on June 02, 2014, in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
29 states have reported measle cases as of May 1 and there have been a total of 12 outbreaks — which are defined as three or more related cases — according to the CDC. The Texas Department of State Health Services reported 702 measles cases on May 6, 19 more than it’s May 2 update, NBC News reported. However, the public health director for the city of Lubbock, Katherine Wells, said no children had been sent to West Texas hospitals with the virus in two weeks.
“I’m hopeful that things are slowing down,” she added.
A spokesperson for the Health and Human Services (HHS) said this month that Secretary Robert F. Kennedy is directing federal agencies to begin looking for more treatments for measles in addition to vaccination, according to The New York Times (NYT).
“Our commitment is to support all families, regardless of their vaccination status, in reducing the risk of hospitalization, serious complications and death from measles,” Andrew Nixon, an HHS spokesperson, told the outlet.
He said the move to explore alternatives is aimed at helping those who choose not to get the vaccine against measles, noting that the CDC continues to recommend getting the measles, mumps and rubella shot.
“Measles vaccination has saved 94 million lives globally since 1974. Of those, 92 million were children,” reports Our World in Data.
The CDC did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller’s request for comment.
