This article was originally published on May 1, 2019. Please see publish date for most recent update.
Measles was , thanks to widespread measles vaccine uptake. Around the world, measles cases also fell 80% from 2000-2016, with deaths dropping from 550,000 to 90,000 per year. However, ongoing measles outbreaks persist globally, with alone. Furthermore, due to an increase in vaccine hesitancy and global travel, surges in cases and even outbreaks have been reported in areas of the world where . For example, the U.K. is currently experiencing a , despite previous elimination of the disease. Measles cases also continue to be , with the most recently confirmed outbreak taking place in 2019.
Number of Measles Cases Reported by Year
Number of measles cases in the U.S. from 2010-2023* (as of Dec. 31, 2023).
Source: CDC
Between Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2019, 1,274 individual cases were confirmed in 31 states. This was the greatest number of measles cases in the U.S. since 1992. Since that time, the U.S. experienced relatively stable case numbers. However, cases have once again begun rebounding, driven by a combination of poverty, warfare, tight vaccine supplies, interruption in vaccine administration during the COVID-19 pandemic and, in some countries (including the U.S.), hesitation about vaccination
In Jan. 2024, a , following recent international travel. Other patients at the hospital were exposed, and 1 subsequently infected patient returned to daycare before the recommended quarantine period (21 days) had ended, which lead to a
As of Jan. 25, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had already reported 9 cases (in 4 U.S. jurisdictions: Georgia, Missouri, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania) in 2024. Since that report, there have been and California.
On February 1, 2024, Los Angeles Department of Public Health announced the . The person had traveled through Los Angeles International Airport on an international flight and visited a fast-food chain, while contagious. Investigation is still ongoing to identify times and locations of exposure and to contact trace.
Why is it So Difficult to Stop Transmission?
, with 90% of people, with no prior immunity from vaccination or previous measles infection contracting measles if exposed. The virus spreads through contact with infected throat or nasal secretions and can remain airborne for up to 2 hours (meaning anyone who is in the same location within 2 hours of an infected person can still become infected).
In addition to being highly contagious, the measles virus can also be fatal and poses the greatest risk to unvaccinated, young children, killing 1 or 2 out of every 1,000 children who contract it, according to the CDC. Pregnant people, older individuals, and those who are immunocompromised are also at higher risk for severe complications, including permanent hearing loss, pneumonia, encephalitis, intellectual disabilities or other severe complications.
Notably, the symptoms of measles overlap with many respiratory viruses, and during respiratory season, when a , other common viruses may be suspected first, creating a higher risk of an infected person unknowingly spreading the virus.
Common, early non-specific symptoms include:
High fever.
Cough.
Runny nose.
Conjunctivitis.
The characteristic measles rash does not appear until 3-5 days after initial symptom onset, which means that the virus can be spread from an infected person before the rash is present.
Measles Diagnostics
When measles is suspected, should be collected. using serology (specifically measles IgM) or real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methods. Genotyping may be used to help trace transmission and differentiate between measles infection and the measles vaccine strain, which is not contagious person-to-person.
Paige M.K. Larkin, Ph.D., D(ABMM), M(ASCP) is the ASM °®¶¹´«Ã½ program officer. Her interests include molecular microbiology, laboratory practices, coding/reimbursement, lab equity, policy and advocacy.
