We hit yet another record this year that no one is talking about.
Can you guess what it is?
A Record Number of States Have Measles Outbreaks
Since August, there have been measles cases in 45 states.
And that’s the most states with measles since 1990, when we had 27,808 cases in 49 states.
“As of May 10, 1991, local and state health departments reported a provisional total of 27,672* measles cases in the United States for 1990---a 52.1% increase over the 18,193 cases reported for 1989 (1) (Figure 1)---and 89 suspected measles-associated deaths. Cases were reported from 49 states and the District of Columbia.”
Current Trends Measles --- United States, 1990
All states had measles except for North Dakota.
Which states are missing so far this year?
Only Arkansas, Hawaii, Mississippi, Nevada, and New Hampshire.
Why?
That’s a great question!
After all, of the five, only Mississippi has the kind of herd immunity levels of MMR protection to prevent outbreaks.
So, what does that mean?
It likely means that eventually we will see measles cases in Arkansas, Hawaii, Nevada, and New Hampshire…
At least we will unless more people get vaccinated and we work to stop the outbreaks.
What else?
*Technically, there have been measles cases this year in both Hawaii and Nevada!
They were out-of-state residents, so they don’t count as measles cases in Hawaii or Nevada, though.
Get vaccines = no deaths by measles, or at least a way lower chance.