As the total number of measles cases continues to surge toward shattering the single-season outbreak, two more states reported new cases and a California senator says the outbreak has grown in Los Angeles County.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its latest numbers, and 2019 is already showing the second-highest outbreak since measles was eliminated in 2000. The CDC reported the United States has had 626 cases so far in 2019, which is second only to the 667 for all of 2014. The outbreak has increased by 71 new cases just since last week.
Tennessee and Iowa recently reported new cases, bringing the tally to 22 states. California Senator Dianne Feinstein, whose state is on that list, said Tuesday that Los Angeles County is reporting an outbreak.
She tweeted: "This year, we've seen the second-highest number of cases of measles in the United States since 2000, and cases have now been confirmed in LA. Vaccines remain the most effective way to combat this disease."
This year, we've seen the second-highest number of cases of measles in the United States since 2000 and cases have now been confirmed in LA. Vaccines remain the most effective way to combat this disease. https://t.co/oJuaw0Wa2h
— Senator Dianne Feinstein (@SenFeinstein) April 23, 2019
Los Angeles County's Department of Public Health tweeted on Tuesday that five new cases have been reported in Los Angeles County, and health officials urged people to get vaccinated. It said: "Five cases of #measles confirmed among LA County residents. Measles is highly contagious. Most people who have not been immunized against measles will get it if they have contact with the virus. Avoid getting and spreading measles with immunization."
Five cases of #measles confirmed among LA County residents. Measles is highly contagious. Most people who have not been immunized against measles will get it if they have contact with the virus. Avoid getting and spreading measles with immunization. https://t.co/gh7bbVAiee pic.twitter.com/xl3P0xvOvF
— LA Public Health (@lapublichealth) April 23, 2019
The CDC said that the people most likely to contract measles virus are those who haven't been vaccinated. It also said travelers with measles continue to bring the disease into the United States. "In the coming weeks, 2019 confirmed case numbers will likely surpass 2014 levels," the CDC reported Monday.
The measles is highly contagious, traveling from person to person. Symptoms include high fever (over 101 degrees Fahrenheit), a cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, and a rash beginning on the face and spreading throughout the body. The disease can be spread through a sneeze or cough, and the incubation period typically lasts 21 days.
The 22 states that have reported cases to the CDC are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas and Washington.
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