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Kansas health authorities have confirmed an outbreak of 23 measles cases, marking a significant rise in infections as the nation experiences its highest number of cases since 2019, with incidents reported in at least 17 states.
The outbreak in Kansas is concentrated in six counties across the southwest region, as stated by the state’s Department of Health and Environment on Wednesday.
A majority of the infected individuals, totaling 20, were not vaccinated against measles. Among these cases, 15 involve school-aged children between the ages of 5 to 17, six are children aged 4 or younger, and two are adults over the age of 18.
Ohio health officials have also reported 10 cases this week, reflecting the nationwide trend.
“With measles activity reported in Texas, New Mexico, and other states, it’s disheartening but not unexpected that we are now witnessing cases in Ohio, including known exposures in several counties,” commented Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, Director of the Ohio Department of Health, in a news release.
Measles is an exceptionally contagious disease that can lead to serious complications, including severe respiratory infections and encephalitis, potentially resulting in long-term health issues such as cognitive impairment, hearing loss, or even death. Medical experts emphasize the effectiveness and safety of the measles vaccine.
Although many individuals recover from measles, approximately 20% of unvaccinated cases require hospitalization. The CDC notes that about 1 in every 1,000 children who contract the disease may develop brain swelling that can cause significant neurological damage, with fatalities occurring in up to 3 out of every 1,000 infected children.
According to the Kansas Department of Health, there have been no hospitalizations or deaths linked to the recent cases in the state thus far.
This outbreak in Kansas aligns with a broader trend of rising measles infections elsewhere. Texas has faced a severe outbreak, accounting for over 400 cases since late January and tragically resulting in a child’s death. Additionally, an adult was reported to have died from measles in New Mexico.
Recently, a confirmed measles infection was reported in a person who may have exposed Amtrak passengers traveling to Washington, D.C., prompting investigation by health officials from the D.C. Department of Health.
Infections have also been documented in several other states, including New Jersey, Georgia, California, Rhode Island, Kentucky, Michigan, Alaska, and Pennsylvania.
The measles vaccine is typically given in childhood as part of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) combination vaccine. The CDC reports that two doses of this vaccine are approximately 97% effective in preventing measles, while a single dose offers about 93% effectiveness.
Similar to the situation in Kansas, the Texas outbreak has been primarily linked to communities with low vaccination rates, with the health officials confirming that the deceased child from Texas was unvaccinated.
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