Measles continues to spread across the United States, with 41 new cases confirmed in the past week, according to an update today from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

From Jan 1 through May 17, the CDC has recorded 880 measles cases in 24 states, the most since 1994 and easily the most since the disease was declared eliminated in the country in 2000.

Many of the cases are part of 10 outbreaks (3 or more cases) ongoing across the country, including large outbreaks in New York, California, and Washington state.

Thirty-two of the new cases likely occurred in New York. As of May 13, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC Health) has reported 498 cases, up from 466 last week, in ongoing outbreaks in Brooklyn and Queens. Those outbreaks are tied to unvaccinated members of the Orthodox Jewish community in those boroughs.

"These outbreaks are linked to travelers who brought measles back from other countries such as Israel, Ukraine, and the Philippines, where large measles outbreaks are occurring," the CDC said, referring to all 10 outbreaks.

On Apr 9, the New York health commissioner ordered the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine compulsory, punishable with up to $1,000 in fines.

Chicago has its first case of 2019

Over the weekend the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) confirmed the city's first case of measles this year, and said the patient may have exposed people at the University of Illinois-Chicago campus, at O'Hare International Airport, in the Chicago Loop, in Millennium Park, and in retail establishments on State Street between Monroe and Randolph Streets and on South Canal Street.

"Measles is a serious yet preventable disease through a safe, effective and universally available vaccine," said CDPH Commissioner Julie Morita, MD, in a press statement. "Chicagoans should make sure their children and family members are up to date on vaccines now. Vaccination is the best way to protect against measles."

CDPH said Chicago has one of the nation's highest vaccination coverage rates, with about 94% of children 19 months to 3 years old receiving at least one dose of the MMR vaccine. (The CDC recommends a second dose at age 4 through 6 years.) A coverage rate of 93% to 95% is needed to prevent measles transmission, according to the World Health Organization, as the virus is highly contagious.

New Mexico also reported its first measles case in 4 years, in a 1-year-old child, according to a story published late last week by the Associated Press (AP).

PAHO update

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) also released an update on measles activity in the Americas. Twelve countries have reported cases in 2019: Argentina, the Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru, the United States of America, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

Since Jan 1, 2018, Brazil has reported more than 18,000 suspected cases, of which 10,424 have been confirmed, with 73 of the confirmed cases occurring this year. The country also reported 12 measles deaths in 2018.

See also:

May 20 CDC update

May 13 NYC Health update

May 18 CDPH statement

May 17 AP story

May 17 PAHO update