As cold and flu season continues, many states across the U.S. are now also reporting cases of measles, a highly contagious virus that mainly affects children. The preventable illness, which was once common, was eradicated in the U.S. due to the widespread use of vaccines. However, most current cases are originating outside the country and occurring in unvaccinated individuals. On Jan. 25, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an emergency warning after 23 cases were confirmed between December 1, 2023, and January 23, 2024. Although the case count remains low, reports of new infections have continued to emerge in states across the U.S., with some linked directly to international travelers. Check the map below for more information on where measles cases have been confirmed.
Measles cases by state
CDC data on current measles cases is updated monthly. In a Jan. 25 update, jurisdictions in Georgia, Missouri, New Jersey and Pennsylvania had reported a total of 9 confirmed cases. However, several state health departments have also shared information about cases, with some states reporting only one confirmed case at this time. Here’s what those states are reporting:
CDC warning:
CDC issues alert that measles cases are up, urging health providers to watch for disease
Measles cases reported by year
The last major measles outbreak in the U.S. occurred in 2019, with a total of 1,249 cases and 22 measles outbreaks reported between Jan. 1 and Oct. 1. According to the CDC, this was the second-highest number of reported outbreaks since measles was declared eliminated in 2000 and the highest in a single year since 1992. Many of these cases came from an outbreak in New York City. Of the cases, 1,107, or 89%, were in patients who were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status. Children receive MMR vaccines as part of the regular course between the ages of 12 and 15 months for the first dose and 4 to 6 years for the second. The vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella and is 97% effective at preventing measles when both doses are given.
What to know:
Are you at risk of measles amid outbreaks in pockets of US?
Philadelphia outbreak:
Officials respond to measles outbreak from day care
Measles symptoms
According to the CDC, measles symptoms appear 7 to 14 days after contact with the virus and typically include high fever, cough, runny nose, and watery eyes. Measles rash appears 3 to 5 days after the first symptoms. Other signs and symptoms of measles include:
High fever
Cough
Runny nose and sneezing
Red, watery eyes
Loss of appetite, diarrhea
Reddish-brown rash that can spread across the entire body
Koplik spots, tiny white spots that may appear inside the mouth two to three days after symptoms begin
Small raised bumps may also appear on top of the flat red spots (the spots may become joined together as they spread from the head to the rest of the body)
When the rash appears, a person’s fever may spike to more than 104° Fahrenheit
