A measles outbreak in Kentucky marks a concerning trend in the United States, with cases nearing a 30-year high. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been over 1,200 confirmed measles cases nationwide this year, including three new cases in Texas tied to a major outbreak.
Canada is also battling large measles outbreaks, with Ontario reporting 2,212 cases and two deaths, while Alberta has seen 1,169 cases. In Mexico’s Chihuahua state, there have been over 2,800 measles cases and eight deaths.
The CDC defines an active outbreak as three or more related cases in a U.S. state. Currently, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Utah are affected. The epicenter of the outbreak in West Texas has seen two child deaths and one adult death from measles this year.
Kentucky’s central region is experiencing an outbreak of four cases, with seven total confirmed cases statewide. Measles is caused by a highly contagious airborne virus that can be prevented through vaccines. Despite being declared eliminated in the U.S. since 2000, the number of cases this year suggests a concerning trend.
Source: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kentucky-measles-outbreak_n_6866a6a7e4b0225e8f8bae70