Measles Outbreak Spreading in the U.S.: What You Need to Know

Mar 12

New Cases in California, New York, Maryland, and Texas—Are You Protected?

Based on articles by Kelly Kasulis Cho and Lena H. Sun, The Washington Post

The measles outbreak in the United States is growing, with new cases reported in Los Angeles County (California), Suffolk County (New York), and Howard County (Maryland). Oklahoma is also investigating two potential cases linked to outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a warning for healthcare workers and travelers ahead of spring break and summer vacation, urging people to ensure their measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines are up to date.

Texas and New Mexico Hit Hard

The largest outbreak is in Texas, where 223 cases have been reported, mostly in the South Plains region. The majority of these cases involve unvaccinated individuals.

New Mexico has reported 33 cases, concentrated along the Texas border.

Two people—one in Texas and one in New Mexico—have died from the virus this year.

Why Is Measles Spreading Again?

Measles was officially eliminated in the U.S. in 2000 thanks to widespread vaccinations. But recent declines in vaccination rates—especially since the COVID-19 pandemic—have led to outbreaks.

According to the CDC, 94% of measles cases this year have been in people who were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status. Seventeen percent of cases required hospitalization.

How Measles Spreads

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world. It spreads through the air and on surfaces. A person with measles can infect others before they even show symptoms.

Symptoms include:
✔️ High fever
✔️ Cough, runny nose, and watery eyes
✔️ Koplik spots (tiny white spots inside the mouth)
✔️ Red rash that spreads across the body

Measles can cause serious complications, including pneumonia and brain swelling. There is no cure—only prevention through vaccination.

Trump Administration’s Slow Response

The Trump administration's response to the recent measles outbreak has been widely criticized as lackluster and counterproductive. Amid a significant surge in measles cases, the administration terminated multiple National Institutes of Health (NIH) studies aimed at improving vaccine trust and access. Health professionals have condemned this move, emphasizing the importance of understanding public concerns about vaccines to enhance public health.

Additionally, the appointment of vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services Secretary has raised alarms.

He recently downplayed the seriousness of an ongoing measles outbreak in Texas, falsely claiming that people had been hospitalized “mainly for quarantine” and misleadingly stating that the situation is “not unusual.”

The Texas outbreak is already larger than any single outbreak last year and has led to the first measles death in the U.S. since 2015. His tenure has been marked by internal conflicts, lack of transparency, and controversial vaccine communication, hindering effective outbreak management. These actions have undermined efforts to address the outbreak, leading to increased cases and public confusion.

Immigrant Parents: Protect Your Children with Vaccines

As an immigrant, you may have already experienced the power of vaccines firsthand. Many of us come from countries where diseases like polio, measles, and tuberculosis were real threats. Some of our parents and grandparents lost loved ones because vaccines were not available or easily accessible.

Now that we are in the U.S., we have a choice—to protect our children. Vaccines are safe, effective, and free for most children through state programs. Talk to your doctor and make sure your children are fully vaccinated.

A single decision can save a life. Let’s keep our families and communities safe.

For more information, speak to your child’s doctor and listen to those in your community who are informed and know of what they speak.

Source: The Washington Post, based on articles by Kelly Kasulis Cho and Lena H. Sun.

Yasin Amba

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https://today.ucsd.edu/story/newsweek_again_names_the_preuss_school_ucsd_the_nations_top_transformative

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