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U.S. Measles Cases Top 2,000 With Elimination Status at Risk

The nation could forfeit its measles elimination designation if connected outbreaks continue past late January.

Overview

  • As of Dec. 30, the CDC reports 2,065 confirmed cases across 44 jurisdictions, the most since 1992, with roughly 49–50 outbreaks, about 88% outbreak-associated, around 11% hospitalized, and three deaths.
  • South Carolina’s outbreak has grown to nearly 180 cases with 20 added since Friday and 287 people in quarantine, with officials citing ongoing spread in households, schools, and churches.
  • Arizona has reached 205 cases after 10 new infections this week, mostly in Mohave County, while Utah reports 156 cases statewide, with both states urging vaccination and call-ahead precautions for care.
  • CDC data show about 93% of infections occurred in people who were unvaccinated or of unknown status, and kindergarten MMR coverage fell to 92.5%, below the 95% threshold needed to prevent outbreaks.
  • Holiday travel exposures were confirmed at Newark Liberty on Dec. 12 and Boston Logan on Dec. 11, with New Jersey officials noting Newark-exposed individuals could develop symptoms through Jan. 2 and that contact tracing is ongoing.