MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – New analysis shows the number of measles cases reported in the U.S. this year just surpassed 1,000.
That’s based on data from the CDC and state health departments.
Many of the cases are related to an outbreak in west Texas, but most states have reported the disease.
“The problem is, when vaccination rates fall below 95% for measles, or under 90% in public schools, you see big outbreaks,” said Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, who is also a physician.
This is likely to be the worst year for measles in the U.S. since its declared elimination in 2000.
The only other that’s close is 2019, when outbreaks around New York City pushed the total to 1,274 cases.
This year’s count is 1,002 as of Wednesday, and it’s only May.
“If you’re immune compromised or you haven’t been vaccinated, you should probably think twice about going to areas where there’s a lot of measles circulating,” said CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta.
Many experts think the actual number of cases is probably higher.
They say early symptoms can resemble other illnesses, and most modern doctors haven’t seen measles firsthand.
“We were able to eradicate measles, and now they’re back,” said Green.
The CDC says three people have died of measles in the U.S. this year.
The agency says before the MMR vaccine, the U.S. saw hundreds of measles deaths annually.
“This virus can cause you to be hospitalized and die,” said Dr. Paul Offit, a pediatrician and virology expert.