More than 1,000 cases of measles have been reported this year in the state of Pennsylvania, health officials announced on Monday. This figure represents the largest measles outbreak in a U.S. state since the early 1990s.
Measles Outbreak and Case Statistics
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a total of 3,869 cases nationwide so far, making this year the worst for measles since 1991.
The current outbreak began in April in West Philadelphia, with nearly 200 people hospitalized due to the disease and five fatalities reported. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, nearly all cases involve individuals who are unvaccinated.
Emergency Declaration in New York
In New York State, Governor Kathy Hochul declared a one-month state of emergency on Monday to "strengthen ongoing efforts to combat measles." More than 100 cases of measles have been reported this year outside of New York City, with 92 of those cases occurring in rural and "under-vaccinated" areas since July 15.
The governor also issued an executive order suspending regulations related to vaccine prescriptions, allowing nurses to request tests and reducing licensing barriers. Hochul stated, "No one should become seriously ill or lose their life due to a preventable disease."
Challenges from Lack of Vaccination
Since last year, measles has spread in several U.S. states, including Texas, Utah, and South Carolina, which has also reported nearly 1,000 cases. Measles includes symptoms such as high fever, cough, and rash, and can cause serious complications, especially in young children.
The disease is highly contagious but can be prevented with vaccination. In recent years, vaccine hesitancy has increased in the United States, with many parents neglecting routine vaccinations due to misinformation about vaccine safety.
In 2000, the United States eliminated endemic measles due to high vaccination rates, but recently vaccination coverage has dropped below 95%, which is necessary to prevent outbreaks.
