At least 17 US states have reported measles cases this winter (Picture: Getty Images/Metro.co.uk)
Multiple states in the US are reporting cases of measles, a highly contagious virus that was once practically eradicated by widespread vaccination.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an emergency warning stating that there were 23 measles cases confirmed in several states from December 1 to January 23.
Which US states are reporting cases?
As of February 22, 17 US states had reported cases of measles, according to state health official sources, the CDC, Newsweek and USA Today research.
The highest number of cases were reported in Pennsylvania with nine total, including eight in Philadelphia and one outside of the capital city. There were three cases reported in Clark and Wahkiakum counties in Washington state.
Six states had one confirmed state each: California in Los Angeles County, Georgia in the Atlanta Metro area, Missouri in Clay County, New Jersey in Camden County, Ohio in Montgomery County and Maryland in Montgomery County.
Arizona, Delaware, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Virginia also had cases.
Florida has a growing number of measles cases especially in children (Picture: Metro.co.uk)
Measles cases continue to grow in Florida. Two new infections have been reported in Broward County, one in a child less than five years old and one between five and nine years old. That brings the total number of cases in the state to eight, USA Today reported.
At least six of those cases were at Manatee Bay Elementary School in Weston, prompting Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo to write that the state’s Department of Health ‘is deferring to parents or guardians to make decisions about school attendance’.
What has led to a rise in cases?
The measles vaccine was developed by researchers in 1963 and American children since then received the shot before going to school. About 93% of kindergartners received the measles shot in the 2022-23 school year, according to a CDC report.
But some parents have been resistant to having their children vaccinated against the measles. In 1998, Andrew Wakefield published a study stating that there was a connection between the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine and autism which was debunked – but still led to a movement against the vaccine.
Measles is most common in children (Picture: SWNS)
What are the symptoms of measles?
Measles are most common in children and appear seven to 14 days after initial contact. The symptoms begin with cough, a high fever, watery eyes and a runny nose. Measles rashes appear three to five days after the first symptoms.
Small raised bumps may form over flat red spots and the patches can join together as they spread across the body. Once the rash appears, a fever can reach over 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Other symptoms include loss of appetite and diarrhea.
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