In the first two months of 2024, the United States has already seen a significant increase in measles cases, nearing the total number reported throughout the entirety of last year. Recent data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals that at least 41 cases of measles have been reported across 16 states, up from the previous count of 35 cases in 15 states.

Michigan has now joined the growing list of affected states, with the confirmation of one travel-related case in Oakland County. Similarly, Florida has witnessed a rise in cases, with an outbreak at an elementary school in Weston resulting in nine confirmed cases in Broward County, as confirmed by the state's Department of Public Health.

This outbreak caught public attention after Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo issued a letter that diverged from CDC guidance. The letter stated that the decision to send unvaccinated children to school should be left to parents, contradicting the CDC's recommendation of excluding unvaccinated children from school for 21 days following exposure.

The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) expressed alarm at the measles outbreaks, emphasizing that although measles was declared eliminated in the US in 2000, it remains the most easily transmitted human virus currently in circulation. Dr. Marcus Plescia, chief medical officer of ASTHO, emphasized the importance of vaccination in protecting children, stating, "Vaccination is the best and safest way to protect children."

Experts attribute the increase in measles cases to declining vaccination rates and increased travel. Unvaccinated individuals who acquire measles abroad can bring the virus back to the US, leading to further transmission. The CDC recommends children receive the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine in two doses: the first between 12 and 15 months of age, and the second between 4 and 6 years old. One dose is approximately 93% effective, while two doses provide about 97% protection against measles.

Despite these recommendations, a 2023 CDC report reveals that only about 92% of US children have received the MMR vaccine by the age of 2, falling below the federal target of 95%. Additionally, the CDC data shows that the percentage of kindergarteners who received the state-required measles vaccines remains below the federal target for the 2022-23 school year. Furthermore, the rate of vaccine exemptions for children has reached the highest level ever reported in the US.

Measles, a highly contagious disease, can lead to severe complications and even death. Its symptoms include fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, and a rash of red spots. In some rare cases, measles may result in pneumonia, encephalitis, or death. Notably, measles can also weaken the immune system and potentially erase its immune memory.

Dr. Plescia warns against the seriousness of measles, especially for children, stating that at least 1 in 5 unvaccinated individuals who contract measles in the US require hospitalization. The last significant measles outbreak in the country occurred in 2018-19 in Rockland County, New York, primarily affecting unvaccinated children in Orthodox Jewish communities. In 2019, the US reported 1,274 cases of measles across 31 states, the highest number of cases reported since 1992, according to the CDC.