Breaking News – There have been at least 15 cases of measles already in the United States in 2023. (see below)
We started 2023 with an ongoing measles outbreak in Ohio, which has risen to at least 85 cases and spread to Kentucky!
After seeing a record high and low number of measles cases in the United States in the last few years, what can we expect in 2023, as measles epidemics are once again being reported around the world and travel restrictions have loosened??
2023 Measles Outbreaks
“As of February 23, 2023, we have surpassed 42 days, or two incubation periods, since the last rash onset, which fits the CDC’s definition of the end of an outbreak.”
Columbus Public Health
The Columbus, Ohio measles outbreak ended without any new cases in 2023!
Hopefully we won’t see another big outbreak this year…
So far, we have seen:
- an unvaccinated adult in Washington who exposed others at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and the Providence Swedish First Hill Emergency Department (Jan 2023)
- a case in Powell County, Kentucky (Jan 2023)
- an unvaccinated resident of Kentucky who attended a large spiritual revival on Asbury University’s campus (Feb 2023)
- a Montgomery County, Ohio resident who was evaluated at the Dayton Children’s South Emergency Department (March 2023)
- an unvaccinated Salt Lake County, Utah resident who had traveled outside the U.S (March 2023)
- a partially vaccinated individual in Hood River County, Oregon (March 2023)
- an unvaccinated O‘ahu resident returning from international travel (April 2023)
- a case of measles in an O‘ahu resident who was exposed to the previously confirmed case in an international traveler
- an unvaccinated individual in Summit County, Ohio (April 2023)
- a case in a partially vaccinated child in Maine (May 2023)
- a King County, Washington child with unknown exposure (no international travel) and unknown vaccination history, which led to the Aki Kurose Middle School transitioning to online classes (May 2023)
- a resident of Montgomery County, Maryland (May 2023)
What’s next?
Unfortunately, I think we can expect more measles…
Less travel because of the COVID-19 pandemic has kept measles cases low in the United States, but unless folks get vaccinated and protected, they will rise as travel restrictions ease.
Are you vaccinated and protected with two doses of MMR?
More on the 2023 Measles Outbreaks:
- The Next COVID-19 Wave Might Not Be COVID-19
- How Contagious Is Measles?
- Why Are You Still Worried About the MMR Vaccine?
- What to Do If Your Child Is Exposed to Measles
- Can MMR Shedding Start a Measles Outbreak?
- A History of Measles Outbreaks in the United States
- When Was the Last Measles Death in the United States?
- Costs of a Measles Outbreak
- CDC – Measles Cases and Outbreaks
- Measles – Timeline | History of Vaccine
- Ask the Experts about MMR
- UNICEF and WHO warn of perfect storm of conditions for measles outbreaks, affecting children
- Somali Community Measles Forum #1
- Somali Community Measles Forum #2