A week-long measles outbreak has hit the US, with over 700 cases reported as of Friday, according to health officials. The Texas and New Mexico outbreaks have been linked to a highly contagious airborne virus that can spread easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes, or coughs.
The multistate outbreak has raised concerns among health experts, who predict that communities with low vaccination rates are more likely to be affected. Experts recommend getting the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine as the best way to avoid infection, with booster shots available for those at high risk of infection.
Symptoms of measles include a high fever, runny nose, cough, red watery eyes, and a characteristic rash that appears three to five days after the first symptoms. While most kids recover from measles, infection can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling, and death.
With over 700 cases reported nationwide, vaccination rates matter more than ever in preventing the spread of measles. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines an outbreak as three or more related cases and has counted seven clusters that qualified as outbreaks as of Friday.
Measles cases have also been reported in other states including Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, and Washington.
Source: https://katu.com/news/nation-world/us-measles-cases-surpass-700-with-outbreaks-in-six-states-heres-what-to-know-04-13-2025