Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, May 3: The US is seeing a significant resurgence of measles this year, with 935 confirmed cases already reported, more than three times the total for all of 2024, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). So far, 12 measles outbreaks have been recorded nationwide, with each outbreak defined as three or more connected cases. This rise marks a concerning trend after the 2024 total of 285 cases. The CDC has reiterated that vaccination remains the most effective preventive measure, with two doses of the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) proving highly effective.

In addition to the measles spike, the CDC has reported 216 paediatric deaths from seasonal influenza as of April 26, a number surpassing the previous high for non-pandemic seasons. The 2023-2024 flu season has been one of high severity, with over 47 million illnesses, 610,000 hospitalisations, and 26,000 deaths from influenza. The CDC continues to recommend annual flu vaccinations for everyone aged 6 months and older to help curb further impact.

Experts have noted that fewer children are receiving flu shots this season, contributing to the severity of the outbreak.