Amid a rising number of outbreaks, including a large one centered in West Texas, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in its weekly update reported 88 more measles cases, pushing the national total to 800.
The pace of activity in the first 4 months of the year is well on track to pass the 2019 total of 1,274 cases, which was the most since the United States officially eliminated the virus in 2000. In its update, the CDC said 94% of cases this year are part outbreaks, which have reached 10 now—3 more than the previous week.
Half of all US states have reported cases, some of which are linked to international travel. Among illnesses reported so far, 96% of patients were unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status. So far, 85 patients (11%) were hospitalized, with the number of deaths remaining at 3.
Texas nears 600 infections
In the main outbreak hot spot, the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) today reported 36 more cases since April 15, boosting the state’s total to 597, of which 371 are from Gaines County, though 24 other counties have also reported cases.
In its list of other measles cases, the TDSHS reported 15 case-patients from Upshur County in the eastern part of the state, 2 of whom are Upshur County residents. Officials are examining the residency status of the other patients to determine if the cases are linked to the West Texas outbreak.
Outbreaks in New Mexico, Kansas, and Oklahoma have also been linked to the West Texas outbreak. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment this week reported 5 more cases, bringing its total to 37 infections in eight counties.
Michigan reports outbreak, Montana reports cases
Yesterday the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Mid-Michigan District Health Department reported the state’s first measles outbreak since 2019, which involves three cases from Montcalm County in the western part of the state. Official added that the outbreak was initially linked to a large ongoing outbreak in Ontario, Canada.
In other outbreak developments, the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services yesterday confirmed the state’s first measles cases since 1990. Officials said they are investigating five cases, which include children and adults living in Gallatin County who were exposed to measles while traveling outside of the state.
All were unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status. Officials said the patients are isolating at home and that so far two potential public exposure sites in Belgrade and Bozeman have been identified.Â
