Latest news with #outbreak
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Health
- Yahoo
US measles cases hit highest level in more than 30 years, CDC data shows
The current number of measles cases in the U.S. is at its highest level in more than 30 years, according to new data released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC said 1,288 confirmed cases have been recorded as of Tuesday throughout 38 states. Texas leads the nation with more than 700 cases. Last year, the CDC reported only 285 measles cases. In 2019, there were 1,274 recorded, but this year's total so far is the most since 1992, when there were 2,126 cases. "There have been 27 outbreaks reported in 2025, and 88% of confirmed cases (1,130 of 1,288) are outbreak-associated," according to the CDC. "For comparison, 16 outbreaks were reported during 2024 and 69% of cases (198 of 285) were outbreak-associated." Midwestern State Reports First Measles Case Since 2011 Measles cases this year have led to three deaths across the U.S. -- and 92% of those who have contracted the virus are unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status. Read On The Fox News App Of this year's cases, 13% have required hospitalization. Those under the age of five are the most likely to require additional medical care, the CDC said. "The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is very safe and effective. When more than 95% of people in a community are vaccinated (coverage >95%), most people are protected through community immunity (herd immunity)," it added. "However, vaccination coverage among U.S. kindergartners has decreased from 95.2% during the 2019–2020 school year to 92.7% in the 2023–2024 school year, leaving approximately 280,000 kindergartners at risk during the 2023–2024 school year." The states with cases are Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming. Measles Cases Continue To Climb Ahead Of Summer Travel The CDC also said "Measles was officially eliminated from the United States in 2000, meaning there is no measles spreading within the country and new cases are only found when someone contracts measles abroad and returns to the country." Health officials said measles symptoms begin to appear 7 to 14 days after contracting the virus and include a high fever, coughing and rashes. "Measles can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5 years of age," the CDC said. "Common complications are ear infections and diarrhea. Serious complications include pneumonia and encephalitis." "Measles is very contagious," the CDC warns. "It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. You can get measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been. This can happen even up to 2 hours after that person has left."Original article source: US measles cases hit highest level in more than 30 years, CDC data shows Solve the daily Crossword
CBC
2 hours ago
- Health
- CBC
Family doctor says measles outbreaks in Canada are entirely preventable
While B.C. has recorded a little over 100 cases of measles as of July 5, neighbouring Alberta has recorded more cases than the entirety of the U.S. despite having a fraction of the population. Dr. Susan Kuo, a Richmond family physician, said the current outbreak could be prevented with up-to-date vaccinations, and the COVID-19 pandemic had led to an increase in vaccine skepticism and poor disease mitigation.
RNZ News
5 hours ago
- Health
- RNZ News
Pacific news in brief for 17 July
Fiji, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Tonga, French Polynesia and American Sāmoa have also declared dengue outbreaks. Photo: SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY A dengue fever outbreak in Samoa has claimed the life of a second child. The Sāmoa Observer reports Faith Melchior, 8, died in hospital on Monday night. She is the second child to die from dengue in Sāmoa this year - 12-year-old Misiafa Lene died in April. Fiji, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Tonga, French Polynesia and American Sāmoa have also declared outbreaks. Tuvalu and Nauru are on alert for the disease. A meeting of trade ministers from the Pacific Island Forum's African, Caribbean and Pacific States is underway in Suva. New Zealand's Nicola Grigg said it is a timely opportunity to discuss the importance of the rules-based trading system, with the World Trade Organisation at its core. She said the structure is vital for small Pacific island nations, including New Zealand. France is committing around US$20 to new undersea technology linking Vanuatu and New Caledonia, which will better prepare the Pacific for natural disasters. SMART will be the world's first Science Monitoring And Reliable Telecommunications submarine cable. French Ambassador to Vanuatu Jean-Baptiste Jeangène Vilmer said the cable will be fitted with sensors to measure sea temperature and seismic activity. He said it will help monitor climate change and - crucially - provide early warnings for tsunamis. The Vanutu Daily Post reported that the cable is expected to be in operation sometime next year. It will link Port Vila with Lifou Island in New Caledonia's Loyalty Islands group, traversing the seismically active New Hebrides Trench. Vanuatu's Electoral Commission says the verification of ballot boxes for the recent Provincial and By-Elections should be completed later today. According to the Vanuatu Daily Post , once that is done, the Commission can officially announce final results. The election was held on 8 July and attracted good voter turnout. The Commission has thanked all who participated - describing the election process as smooth and peaceful. Political parties have already begun lobbying to form new provincial governments. Fiji's HIV prevention taskforce says the country's law enforcement is actively hindering public health efforts. The United Nations reports a massive surge in HIV cases last year - numbers are up 284 percent. Around half of all cases were caused by intravenous drug use. Taskforce chair Dr Jason Mitchell told Pasifika TV there is a concerning lack of cooperation between the health sector and police. Schools in the Northern Marianas are bracing for a possible fiscal cliff, according to the Board of Education. Governor Arnold Palacios is planning substantial cuts to the education budget allocation. The government is proposing a US$40 million dollar grant but the Public School System has requested just over 49 million dollars. Board of Education has testified that if the government's proposal is implemented they could be forced to declare a state of emergency in education.
CTV News
9 hours ago
- Health
- CTV News
Five confirmed measles cases in New Brunswick
Five confirmed measles cases in New Brunswick New Brunswick is now reporting five confirmed measles cases.
National Post
11 hours ago
- Health
- National Post
Federal Court of Appeal reserves decision in B.C. ostrich farm's avian flu case
OTTAWA — The Federal Court of Appeal reserved its decision in a case involving two B.C. farmers who are fighting an order from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to destroy around 400 ostriches after an outbreak of avian flu. Article content After hearing arguments on Tuesday in Ottawa, Justice Mary Gleason told the court that the panel of three judges will try to make a decision quickly, noting that the case dates back to December. Article content Article content Article content The CFIA ordered Universal Ostrich Farms to cull about 400 birds after 69 ostriches died in December and January. Article content Article content The agency tested two of the dead birds in January and found a 'novel reassortment' of the highly contagious avian flu virus, which had not been seen anywhere else in Canada. Article content It also fined the farm's owners, Karen Espersen and Dave Bilinski, for failing to report the outbreak and for failing to adhere to quarantine measures. Article content The Federal Court denied the farm's application for a judicial review of the CFIA's order, ruling that the agency's decision was reasonable and procedurally fair, and that it is not up to the courts to resolve scientific disputes. Article content The courts granted a stay of the CFIA's order to destroy the herd while the case was appealed. Article content The farm's lawyer, Umar Sheikh, told the Federal Court of Appeal on Tuesday that the agency ordered all the ostriches to be culled just 41 minutes after receiving the positive test results. Article content Sheikh said in his arguments that there is evidence ostriches fare better than other birds in the case of an outbreak, with a lower mortality rate than chickens, for example. Article content Article content At issue in the appeal is the CFIA's application of the 'stamping out' policy, which is defined by the World Organization of Animal Health. Article content Article content The policy states that if highly pathogenic avian flu is discovered, steps must be taken to destroy any animals or things on the property that were infected or exposed, and the environment must be decontaminated. Article content Sheikh said the CFIA is applying the policy in a one-size-fits-all manner and argued that is not appropriate, pointing out that no ostriches have died on the farm since January and the farmers believe all the birds have recovered. Article content The court heard Tuesday that the virus can live in water and soil for months at a time, and that even seemingly healthy ostriches may spread the virus to other animals, including mammals. Article content Universal Ostrich Farms has said the loss of the herd would put their three-decade operation out of business. Article content The CFIA says the stamping out policy is a critical part of maintaining not only animal and human health, but also Canada's status as a reliable international trading partner.
