A measles outbreak in western Texas has surged to 309 cases, surpassing the nationwide total for 2024. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. has seen a total of 378 confirmed measles cases this year.
The majority of these cases – 95% – are linked to unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status. A significant portion of cases, 130, involve children between ages 5 and 17, while 102 cases involve children under the age of 4.
At least 40 people have been hospitalized due to measles, with two U.S. deaths confirmed this year. The CDC has issued recommendations for vaccination in outbreak areas, including a revised schedule for infants living in affected regions.
The CDC recommends that individuals receive two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, with one dose being 93% effective and two doses being 97% effective in preventing the disease.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Health/measles-cases-linked-outbreak-texas-reach-309-surpassing/story?id=120019612