In a weekly update, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today reported 23 more measles cases, lifting the country’s total to 1,431, the most since the country reached elimination status in 2000.
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For the first time, health officials divided out the cases confirmed in international visitors, which account for 18 of the national cases.
The number of outbreaks remained the same, at 35, double the number for 2024. So far, 86% of cases are linked to outbreaks, compared to 69% last year. To date, 92% of patients were unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status. School-age kids are the most affected group, followed closely by adults ages 20 years and older.
In a related development, the CDC yesterday announced the rescheduling of a Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) call to update the situation with US measles cases. The call was originally scheduled for August 14 and is now slated for September 11.
More detections in Colorado, Texas
Following two measles cases in August, an outbreak in Colorado’s Mesa County has now grown to seven cases, according to Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) measles dashboard. The CDPHE reported more potential measles exposures in the Grand Junction area for late August, which include the local hospital, a few restaurants, gas stations, and a music store.
Elsewhere, health officials in Rains County, Texas, east of Dallas, yesterday announced a travel-related measles case in an adult resident. The patient remained isolated at home during the infectious period and has recovered, according to a statement from the Northeast Texas Public Health District posted on the county's web page.