United States Reaches Highest Annual Measles Cases in 33 Years
There have been no cases to-date in Massachusetts, but with summer travel season in high-swing officials remain concerned about the disease arriving to the area.
What went wrong?
A Timeline of Measles and Contributing Factors to Outbreaks in the U.S.
Across the U.S., a total of 1,288 confirmed measles cases were reported by 39 states. This marks the worst year for measles in 33 years, and we’re only halfway through the year. There have also been 3 measles deaths this year. The last time someone in the U.S. died from measles was 2015.
How We Got Here: Vaccination Rates
Childhood vaccines rates fell during the pandemic. According to experts, 95% of a population should be vaccinated to stop the spread of measles. In 2023–2024, the MMR vaccination rate among kindergarteners was 93%. In Gaines, Texas, which is an epicenter of measles outbreak, the vaccination rate is 82%.
Additional Factors
There has been a global uptick in in Measles cases including large outbreaks in Canada and Europe, which means more opportunities for measles to arrive in the U.S. when people travel abroad.
What’s Next?
- Outbreaks could become the new normal.
- Because measles is so contagious, it’s often the first disease to make a comeback when vaccination rates start to fall.
- Experts fear other diseases are not far behind.
Key Takeaways
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world, but there is an extremely effective vaccine to prevent it. Two doses of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine give lifetime protection to 97% of the people who receive the vaccines.
“Measles is the Worst Souvenir”: Travelers Should Review Their Immunization Records Prior to Travel
The risk of a measles outbreak depends on two things: global measles activity (which is high this year) and MMR vaccine coverage. Since there have been no local measles cases to-date, the risk comes from travelers who could pick up the infection elsewhere in the United States or abroad and bring it home. “You can think of measles as the worst souvenir,” said our contract epidemiologist, Lea Hamner. “Travelers should carefully review their immunization records prior to their trip. Measles is so contagious you could be unknowingly exposed in an airport and bring that infection home to your community.” Earlier this summer, there was a contagious traveler at the Boston Logan airport on June 8 that spurred a statewide alert.
Children in Barnstable County are generally highly vaccinated against measles, but measles just needs to get into a pocket of under- or un-immunized people to gain a foothold. Because measles is so contagious, a 95% vaccination rate is required to prevent continued transmission of the disease (also referred to as herd immunity).
- Kindergarteners: 95.2% immunized for MMR, 2 doses
- Childcare/Preschool: 95.0% immunized for MMR, 1 dose (as recommended for their age)
Got questions about the MMR vaccine or want to schedule a vaccine appointment? The Public Health Nurses are here to help! Call 508-375-6617 or email [email protected].
