Half of US states have reported measles cases this year
Half of states in the US are now reporting measles cases, with the national total surpassing 800 cases so far this year, according to a CNN tally.
Most of the cases are concentrated in a multistate outbreak involving Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and possibly Kansas that reached 709 cases Friday, according to state health department updates.
Texas has reported 597 outbreak-associated cases, New Mexico reported 63 cases, and Oklahoma reported 12 cases – nine confirmed and three probable – as of Friday. New Mexico and Oklahoma's numbers have stayed the same since Tuesday.
Cases in Kansas, which the state health department says may be linked to the larger outbreak, have reached 37 as of Wednesday.
Experts say these numbers are all a severe undercount because many cases are going unreported.
The multistate outbreak has put 69 people in the hospital across Texas, New Mexico and Kansas, five more since Tuesday's update.
Nationally, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that at least 85 people have been hospitalized, accounting for 11% of confirmed cases. CDC data shows that only 3% of cases this year have been reported in people who have gotten one or two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine.
Local health officials are scrambling to increase vaccinations, especially in heavily undervaccinated communities. Clinics in Lubbock, Texas, near the epicenter of the outbreak, just expanded their hours.
These Lubbock clinics have administered 450 more doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine than typically would have been given by this time of year, Katherine Wells, director of Lubbock Public Health said this week. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective against the measles virus.
Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000. Experts warn that growing case numbers could threaten the country's elimination status if spread of the outbreak continues.
'That … would happen after 12 months of ongoing circulation of the same sequence,' Dr. David Sugerman, a senior scientist at the CDC, said Tuesday at a meeting of the agency's vaccine advisers.
That date would be around January 20, 2026, he said.
Two children in Texas have died in the current multistate outbreak, and a third death in New Mexico is under investigation. They were all unvaccinated.
The World Health Organization said that cases in Mexico have also been linked to cases in Texas. Three cases in Colorado are being investigated for connection to the outbreak after two of the people traveled to Mexico. Another case was identified after a Pennsylvania resident traveled to Texas, though it is unclear what part of the state the person visited. In a news release last week, the Arkansas health department said that the second case of measles identified in the state this year was 'exposed during out of state travel,' but no further details were provided.
Many cases in other states have been linked to international travel.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Miami Herald
an hour ago
- Miami Herald
CDC warns of deadly disease outbreak in key cruise ports
Before you travel, it's always a good idea to review country-specific health information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as travel safety information provided by the U.S. State Department. These notices and travel advisories provide important information to help U.S. citizens guard their health and safety while traveling abroad - whether on a cruise or another type of trip. Related: US changes travel threat level for controversial Caribbean port Although travelers often focus more attention on destination-specific safety and security threats outlined in travel advisories, it's important to consider travel health notices, too. The CDC recently updated some of these notices, including a vital warning for travelers concerning outbreaks of dengue, a common mosquito-borne disease that can have life-threatening health consequences in some cases. More than 13 million cases of dengue were reported across the Americas and in the Caribbean in 2024, and dengue outbreaks in these areas continue in 2025. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise. The CDC recently updated its travel health notice about global dengue, warning travelers that a number of countries around the world continue to report increased numbers of cases of the serious disease. In its notice, the CDC also explains that health officials are seeing a concerning rise in the number of dengue cases among U.S. travelers returning from certain countries. Dengue outbreaks are reported regularly in many popular tourist destinations, including cruise ports, in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. Related: Royal Caribbean shares new health warning for cruisepassengers Specific countries currently experiencing dengue outbreaks include: BrazilColombiaComorosCubaEcuador, including the Galápagos IslandsFijiFrench Polynesia, including the island groups of Society Islands (Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora-Bora)Marquesas Islands (Hiva Oa and Ua Huka)Austral Islands (Tubuai and Rurutu)GuadeloupeGuatemalaIranMexicoPakistanPanamaPhilippinesSaint LuciaSamoaSudan, and Tonga. Public health officials in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have also declared dengue outbreaks. If you're taking a cruise to Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Mexico, Panama, or Saint Lucia, you should be especially careful and take steps to protect yourself from dengue. Be the first to see the best deals on cruises, special sailings, and more. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter. Dengue is caused by a virus that's spread by mosquito bites, so the CDC advises travelers visiting risk areas to be diligent about preventing them. The CDC's recommendations for mosquito bite prevention include: Use an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellentWear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoorsSleep in an air-conditioned room or room with window screens If you do get mosquito bites during a cruise or other trip to a destination with a dengue risk, there are a few things to know and key symptoms to look out for following your trip. Dengue can take up to two weeks to begin, and illness generally lasts less than a week. Symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, rash, muscle and joint pain, and minor bleeding. If you develop a fever or experience other symptoms of dengue, you should see a health care provider and inform them of your travel. Related: CDC says throw this food out after salmonella sickens cruisers In some cases, dengue can become severe within a few hours, quickly turning into a medical emergency that typically requires hospitalization. Severe dengue can lead to hemorrhage (uncontrolled bleeding), shock (seriously low blood pressure), organ failure, and even death. Even if you don't get sick, if you've recently visited a dengue risk area, you should also continue protect yourself from mosquito bites upon your return home to reduce the chance of spreading dengue. The CDC advises that travelers returning from a destination with a dengue risk should take steps to prevent mosquito bites for three weeks in order to avoid spreading dengue to mosquitoes that could spread the virus to other people. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me's Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@ or call or text her at 386-383-2472. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
The 3 Most Overlooked and Subtle Signs of Heart Trouble, According to a Cardiovascular Surgeon
The 3 Most Overlooked and Subtle Signs of Heart Trouble, According to a Cardiovascular Surgeon originally appeared on Men's Fitness. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., but recognizing early warning signs could make all the difference. Jeremy London, M.D. is a board certified cardiothoracic surgeon with over 25 years of clinical experience. In a new Instagram post, he shared three of the most common potential heart symptoms you shouldn't ignore. As he says near the end of the video, our bodies have built-in warning systems, and addressing any red flags could save your first and biggest red flag is chest pain. "Or more commonly, chest pressure. It's brought on with activity and relieved with rest, and this is an indication that a portion of the heart muscle may be blood starved," he says. This is referred to as stable angina. The second is more subtle: shortness of breath, particularly associated with activity. "But it's progressive shortness of breath. In other words, it's getting worse over time," he clarifies. The final one is the most subtle of the symptoms, and it's a decrease in exercise tolerance. "Now, we all get tired, but what I'm talking about is fatigue out of proportion to the activity. In other words, like taking out the garbage, taking a shower, crossing the parking lot of the supermarket and having to stop," London says. According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women alike. Every 33 seconds, one person dies from cardiovascular disease. In 2022 alone, 702,880 people died from heart disease—the equivalent of one in every five deaths. The key to avoiding becoming part of that statistic is responding to any red flags before you get into 3 Most Overlooked and Subtle Signs of Heart Trouble, According to a Cardiovascular Surgeon first appeared on Men's Fitness on Jun 4, 2025 This story was originally reported by Men's Fitness on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Canadian wildfire smoke is still affecting Wisconsin. How to keep kids and pets safe with poor air quality
Like much of the Midwest, Wisconsin's air quality is still seeing effects from Canadian wildfire smoke, with Milwaukee experiencing some of the worst air quality in the nation. In fact, Milwaukee had the worst air quality in the U.S. on June 4 with an air quality index of 153, The New York Times reported. While Chicago has since topped the Times' list, Milwaukee remains in second with an AQI of 136. This AQI is considered "unhealthy for sensitive groups," according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's standards. An air quality advisory from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources remains in effect until noon on June 5. The National Weather Service also said in a post on X that healthy residents should consider spending limited time outdoors. While wildfire smoke can negatively impact anyone, children and pets are some of the more vulnerable groups. As the poor air quality continues throughout the state, here's what experts recommend you should do to keep them safe: Wildfire smoke is a "complex mixture" of pollutants shown to cause a range of health effects, according to the EPA. These effects can be "relatively minor," like eye irritation, to more serious, including premature death, the agency says. Children are "especially vulnerable," since their lungs are still developing, the EPA says. Aside from physical health effects, the agency notes children may also experience stress and mental health problems from wildfires. More: Milwaukee has the worst air quality in the US right now, according to The New York Times Like humans, animals can be negatively impacted by poor air quality, says. Those with heart or lung disease and older pets are "especially at risk" and should be closely monitored when air quality is poor. Children aged 2 and older can wear masks and respirators, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, masks approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health aren't made to fit young children, the CDC says. So, you should choose a mask or respirator that fits your child comfortably. The agency also notes certain face coverings, like surgical masks or breathing through a wet cloth, will not protect kids. According to the CDC, there are several steps you should take prior to the risk of wildfire smoke inhalation, including: Stock up on medication if evacuation may be necessary. Buy groceries you won't have to cook. Talk to your child's healthcare provider, especially if they have a chronic health condition. Once wildfire smoke hits, here's how the CDC says you can keep protecting your kids: Check air quality reports. Check school closings. Limit time outdoors. Keep windows and doors closed. Use an HVAC system with air filter. Use a portable air filter, if available. Consider evacuating if your child is experiencing breathing problems or other symptoms from smoke inhalation that do not improve. Seek medical attention immediately if they are having trouble breathing, is "very sleepy" or will not eat and drink. You should have "high efficiency filters" before fire season starts and consider creating a "clean room" with a portable air cleaner, recommends. Here are some tips from for keeping your pets safe once wildfire smoke begins: Keep pets indoors as much as possible. Bring outdoor pets into rooms with good ventiliation. Keep indoor air clean by avoiding certain activities, like vacuuming or burning candles. Limit time outdoors and physical activity. Include pets in any evacuation planning, if necessary. If your animal is showing any of the following symptoms, recommends contacting your veterinarian: Coughing Gagging Red or watery eyes Nasal discharge,inflammation of throat or mouth Reluctant to eat hard foods Trouble breathing, includes open-mouth breathing and if they're making more noise when breathing Fast breathing Fatigue, weakness or disorientation Reduced appetite Reduced thirst The DNR has interactive air quality maps, which show the AQI and any active alerts or advisories by county. You can view them on the department's website. You can also sign up for air quality advisory notices through the DNR's website at More: Canadian wildfire smoke could affect Wisconsin all summer. Here's how to track air quality This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Canadian wildfire smoke: Keep kids, pets safe when air quality is poor
