The number of measles cases in the U.S. this year has broken a record, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Thursday, warning that the virus may no longer be considered to have been eliminated in this country if the large outbreaks continue through the fall.

The CDC said 971 cases have been reported so far in 2019, including 91 cases in the past week and a half. The tally means in just five months the outbreaks have surpassed the previous high of 963 cases set 25 years ago, in 1994.

Most of the cases this year, and in the past several weeks are part of two outbreaks, in New York City and Rockland County, N.Y., where the virus has been spreading mostly among unvaccinated children in ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities. Several other states have reported either individual cases or small outbreaks.

“If these outbreaks continue through summer and fall, the United States may lose its measles elimination status,” the CDC warned in a statement. “That loss would be a huge blow for the nation and erase the hard work done by all levels of public health.”

More from The Wall Street Journal </s> Measles cases in the U.S. break more than 25-year record, CDC says

Measles cases in the U.S. have surged to a new high, eclipsing the total number of cases from all of 1992, the , the CDC said Thursday. The tally is so high that measles could lose its status as an officially eliminated disease.

There have been 971 cases confirmed in 2019 so far, according to the CDC. That's the greatest number since 1992, which had 963 cases in the entire year, and it's a dramatic spike from the 372 cases in 2018. Measles has been reported in 26 states, with New York having the most cases.

"If these outbreaks continue through summer and fall, the United States may lose its elimination status," the CDC said in a statement. "That loss would be a huge blow for the nation and erase the hard work done by all levels of public health." (CBS News) </s> The number of measles cases in the United States have reached levels that threaten the measles elimination status it gained nearly two decades ago, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday.

There have been 971 reported measles cases so far – and the year is not even halfway complete. That's the highest mark since 2,237 cases were reported in 1992. The newest figures surpassed the 963 cases reported in 1994.

Measles cases have been reported in 26 states, including Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The vast majority of measles cases have stemmed from New York, where outbreaks in Brooklyn and Rockland County have spread primarily among Orthodox Jewish communities with low vaccination rates. If they measles outbreaks persist through the summer and fall, the United States could lose its measles elimination status, which it gained in 2000. "That loss would be a huge blow for the nation and erase the hard work done by all levels of public health," the CDC said in a statement. "The measles elimination goal, first announced in 1963 and accomplished in 2000, was a monumental task." Prior to the widespread use of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, there were about 3 million to 4 million measles cases every year in the United States, the CDC said. That resulted in about 48,000 hospitalizations and 400 to 500 deaths each year. </s> - NEW YORK - This year's U.S. measles epidemic just surpassed a 25-year-old record, and experts say it's not clear when the wave of illnesses will stop.

U.S. health officials on Thursday reported 971 cases so far this year. That eclipses the 963 measles illnesses reported for all of 1994.

It's been 27 years since the nation saw this many measles cases - 2,237 cases were reported in 1992.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated the numbers Thursday.

Measles was once common in the U.S. but gradually became rare after vaccination campaigns that started in the 1960s.

The vast majority of this year's cases have been in New York City. But illnesses have been reported in at least 26 states.

Outbreaks in New York City and Rockland County, New York have continued for nearly 7 months. If these outbreaks continue through summer and fall, the United States may lose its measles elimination status. That loss would be a huge blow for the nation and erase the hard work done by all levels of public health, according to the CDC.

The measles elimination goal, first announced in 1963 and accomplished in 2000, was a monumental task. Before widespread use of the measles vaccine, an estimated 3 to 4 million people got measles each year in the United States, along with an estimated 400 to 500 deaths and 48,000 hospitalizations.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. </s> There have been 971 cases of measles reported in the United States this year, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday.

This means 2019, which is not quite half over, now has the greatest number of cases in a single year in 25 years.

The number of cases in 1994 was 963, which was lower than in 1992 when there were 2,237 cases.

“Measles is preventable and the way to end this outbreak is to ensure that all children and adults who can get vaccinated, do get vaccinated. Again, I want to reassure parents that vaccines are safe, they do not cause autism. The greater danger is the disease that vaccination prevents,” said CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield.

Measles was eliminated in the United States in 2000, meaning it was no longer continuously transmitted in the country.

Cases have been reported in 26 states this year so far.

New York has been the largest contributor to this year’s unfortunate milestone with nearly 700 cases of measles reported this year in the state. Most of those cases have been in Orthodox Jewish communities with low vaccination rates.

Clark County in Washington state had the second-largest outbreak in the US this year with more than 70 cases reported. The county has low vaccination rates.

“If these outbreaks continue through summer and fall, the United States may lose its measles elimination status. That loss would be a huge blow for the nation and erase the hard work done by all levels of public health. The measles elimination goal, first announced in 1963 and accomplished in 2000, was a monumental task,” the agency said in statement. “Before widespread use of the measles vaccine, an estimated 3 to 4 million people got measles each year in the United States, along with an estimated 400 to 500 deaths and 48,000 hospitalizations.”

The elimination of the virus in the United States is attributed to widespread measles, mumps and rubella vaccination and a “strong public health infrastructure to detect and contain measles,” according to the CDC.

“Your decision to vaccinate will protect your family’s health and your community’s well-being,” Redfield said. “CDC will continue working with public health responders across our nation to bring this outbreak to an end.”

The cases in the Unites States are imported from international travel and then local outbreaks begin when the highly contagious illness spreads to those who are not immune to the virus from vaccination or having recovered from measles. With the busy summer travel season just about to get underway there’s concern about continued importation of measles among vacationers.

In communities with 95% or more of residents who are vaccinated against the virus, herd immunity works. That’s when unvaccinated people are protected because so many of those around them are.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases told lawmakers earlier this year that more needs to be done.

“I consider it an irony that you have one of the most contagious viruses known to man juxtaposed against one of the most effective vaccines they have,” Fauci said. “Yet we don’t do and have not done what could be done – namely eliminate eradicate the virus.”

**More on measles, here** </s> Image copyright Science Photo Library Image caption Stock picture of a child with measles

The number of US measles patients has reached a record high and may cause the nation to lose its "measles elimination status", US health officials say.

Sixty new cases were reported in the past week, bringing this year's total to 971 cases in 26 US states - the highest since 1994.

The disease was declared effectively eliminated from the US in 2000.

Recent outbreaks have been attributed to foreign travellers spreading it to those lacking vaccinations in the US.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a statement on Thursday: "If these outbreaks continue through summer and fall, the United States may lose its measles elimination status.

"That loss would be a huge blow for the nation and erase the hard work done by all levels of public health.

"The measles elimination goal, first announced in 1963 and accomplished in 2000, was a monumental task."

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption What exactly is behind the US measles outbreak?

The statement added that previously between three and four million Americans were diagnosed with the sometimes-fatal illness each year, leading to an estimated 400-500 deaths and 48,000 hospitalisations.

Earlier this year, Anthony Fauci of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases testified to lawmakers that more must be done to prevent the spread of the disease.

"I consider it an irony that you have one of the most contagious viruses known to man juxtaposed against one of the most effective vaccines they have," he said.

"Yet we don't do and have not done what could be done - namely eliminate, eradicate the virus."

This year's tally of 971 means the US has already broken the 1994 record - 963 infections - in only the first five months of 2019.

But it is still not as bad as 1992 when about 2,200 cases of measles were reported. </s> This year’s measles outbreak is reaching levels not seen in 25 years.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting 940 confirmed cases of measles in the U.S. so far this year.

That’s 60 more reported cases than last week.

Officials say we are very close to surpassing 1994’s outbreak. Back then, the country was hit with 963 confirmed cases of the measles.

As it stands now, 26 states have confirmed cases. New York is seeing it the worst, with more new cases reported weekly than any other state. </s> May 30 (UPI) -- Measles cases in the United States have hit a high of 971, shattering the 943 cases in 1994 to be the highest number of cases in 25 years -- and it comes barely halfway into the year.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported the number on Thursday afternoon, the agency's second measles count released this week. Monday's report, of 940 cases reported through May 24, already was the second highest since 1994.

Areas with reported outbreaks include Butte, Los Angeles and Sacramento Counties in California, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Rockland County and New York City in New York State.

The CDC is working closely with state and local health departments to contain ongoing outbreaks.

"Measles is preventable and the way to end this outbreak is to ensure that all children and adults who can get vaccinated, do get vaccinated," CDC Director Robert Redfield said in a statement. "Again, I want to reassure parents that vaccines are safe, they do not cause autism."

The outbreaks in New York City and Rockland County, N.Y., have lasted for close to seven months, and if they persist through the fall, could jeopardize measles elimination status in the United States, the CDC says.

States with confirmed measles cases include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Tennessee, and Washington.

According to the agency, the United States eliminated the measles in 2000. Prior to the widespread use of the vaccine, measles cases regularly topped 4 million, leading to 48,000 hospitalizations and 500 deaths each year.

The CDC says that the virus was eliminated due to "availability and widespread use of a safe and highly effective measles vaccine" and "strong public health infrastructure to detect and contain measles."

To combat the virus today, the agency suggests parents who think the measles vaccine can cause autism should talk with a pediatrician to get a better understanding of the drug's safety.

"The greater danger is the disease that vaccination prevents," Redfield said. "Your decision to vaccinate will protect your family's health and your community's well-being. CDC will continue working with public health responders across our nation to bring this outbreak to an end." </s> The number of US measles cases has reached a 25-year high and the country risks losing its measles "elimination status" if current outbreaks continue, US health authorities said Thursday.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Thursday there have been 971 cases of measles reported in the US so far this year, which means more people have caught the disease in the last five months than in any entire calendar year since 1994, which saw 963 reported cases.

Authorities declared measles eliminated in the US in 2000, a goal set in 1963 with the introduction of the vaccine.

Measles is considered eliminated when there is an absence of continuous disease transmission for 12 months or more in a specific geographic area, according to the CDC.

An ongoing outbreak in and around New York City that started last fall is threatening the US's "elimination status" -- if it continues for four more months, the country will no longer be able to say it has eliminated measles.

Even though the New York mayor began requiring city residents in heavily affected areas, many with large Orthodox Jewish communities, to be vaccinated starting in April, the city still had 173 cases that month and 60 in May.

The US has never counted zero measles cases. Since 2000, the number has fluctuated between a few dozen and a few hundred cases per year, with 667 cases recorded during a 2014 outbreak in Ohio, especially in Amish communities.

The disease's resurgence can mostly be traced back to un- or under-vaccinated travelers who brought the infection back with them from abroad -- that's what happened last year when cases were reported throughout the country, originating from the Philippines, Israel and Ukraine.

"Measles is preventable and the way to end this outbreak is to ensure that all children and adults who can get vaccinated, do get vaccinated," said CDC director Robert Redfield.

"Again, I want to reassure parents that vaccines are safe, they do not cause autism. The greater danger is the disease that vaccination prevents."
Sixty new cases in the past week are reported, bringing this year's total to 971 cases in 26 U.S. states – the highest since 1994. The CDC warns, "If these outbreaks continue through summer and fall, the United States may lose its measles elimination status."