A prominent immunologist warns about a post-herd-immunity era marked by significant measles outbreaks in areas with low vaccination rates, particularly in the American southwest and neighboring countries. The U.S. is currently experiencing its largest measles outbreak in 25 years, with 935 confirmed cases reported across 30 jurisdictions, and notable hospitalizations among affected children. The public health risk is rising as the number of cases in the Americas and Europe grows alarmingly, which could threaten the established elimination status of measles in these regions if transmission continues unabated.
Measles is the most contagious of the vaccine-preventable diseases. With the current outbreak, we are clearly living in a post-herd-immunity world, as evidenced by the resurgence of the virus in areas with low vaccination rates.
The United States is experiencing its largest measles outbreak in 25 years, with over 935 confirmed cases across 30 jurisdictions, highlighting a concerning trend in vaccination coverage.
Elimination status will be at risk if the US has 12 months of sustained transmission of measles. Current data shows a dramatic increase in measles cases in both the Americas and Europe.
With nearly one in three affected children under the age of five being hospitalized, the risks posed by the ongoing measles outbreaks are particularly severe and need urgent attention.
Collection
[
|
...
]