Cases of measles continue to rise, as we pass 1,000 cases in the United States.
2019 Measles Outbreaks
With a record high number of cases, there are measles cases and outbreaks in 31 states, including:
| Alaska | 1 | Massachusetts | 2 |
| Arizona | 1 | Michigan | 44 |
| California | 61 | Mississippi | 1 |
| Colorado | 1 | Missouri | 2 |
| Connecticut | 3 | Nevada | 1 |
| Florida | 2 | New Hampshire | 1 |
| Georgia | 3 | New Jersey | 13 |
| Hawaii | 2 | New York | 804 |
| Idaho | 2 | Ohio | 1 |
| Illinois | 7 | Oklahoma | 4 |
| Indiana | 1 | Oregon | 11 |
| Iowa | 2 | Pennsylvania | 6 |
| Kentucky | 2 | Tennessee | 3 |
| Maine | 1 | Texas | 20 |
| Maryland | 4 | Virginia | 1 |
| Washington | 85 |
What’s the first thing you notice about this measles outbreaks?
Where Are the Measles Outbreaks
They aren’t spread out evenly through the United States.
In fact, the largest outbreaks are clustered in just a few states, including California, Michigan, New York (Rockland County and Brooklyn), and Washington (Pacific Northwest Outbreak and the Puget Sound Outbreak).
Mapping the 2019 Measles Outbreaks
What does that look like when you map it?
It looks a little strange…
And that’s because, amazingly, about 70% of cases this year are in just one state – New York!
But that doesn’t mean that you don’t have to be concerned if you don’t live in New York. After all, measles is on the rise all over the world and it is still just a plane ride away. And there are plenty of other communities with low immunization rates where folks are at risk for outbreaks.
Also consider that even without the big outbreaks, this would still rank as a big year for measles.
Bottom line?
Get vaccinated and protected and stop the outbreaks. The MMR vaccine is safe, effective, with few risks. And it is obviously necessary.
More on Mapping the 2019 Measles Outbreaks
- Is Measles Still Eliminated in the United States?
- What to Do If Your Child Is Exposed to Measles
- Is the MMR Safe for 6-Month-Old Babies?
- Who Is ‘Patient Zero’ in the 2019 Measles Outbreaks?
- Do You Need Another Dose of the MMR Vaccine?
- Why Are We Having Measles Outbreaks If MMR Vaccination Rates Are Not Declining?
Tilegrams - Study – New analysis predicts top 25 U.S. counties at risk for measles outbreaks
- CDC – Measles Cases and Outbreaks
- A record number of measles cases is hitting the U.S. this year. Who is being affected?
- Measles and Rubella Map
- ECDC – Measles outbreaks in Europe
- More measles than ever before (in the last 20 years)
- A Slice of Pie: MMR Edition
Last Updated on April 6, 2024