Stay Alert for More Measles Cases in the U.S.

According to a Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity COCA Now message published today, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was notified of 23 measles cases between December 2023 and January 23, 2024.

On January 24, 2024, this COCA Now email stated these cases include seven direct importations of measles by international travelers and two outbreaks with more than five cases each. 

Specifically, most of the recent measles cases were among children and adolescents who had not received a measles-containing vaccine, even if they were age-eligible.

The increased number of measles importations in the U.S. reflects a rise in global measles outbreaks. 

Over the past year, the CDC says Yemen (23,066) and India (13,997) have reported the most measles cases.

In the U.S., the Philadelphia Department of Public Health recently reported a measles cluster among unvaccinated residents. Nine measles cases have been confirmed in Philadelphia locations in 2024.

The Georgia Department of Public Health confirmed a measles case in an unvaccinated Atlanta resident.

The Virginia Department of Health was notified of a confirmed case of measles in a person who traveled through Northern Virginia airports.

In greater Kansas City, Missouri, a resident at the Kansas City International Airport and North Kansas City Hospital was infected with the measles virus.

And in Washington, six measles cases were confirmed in January 2024.

In the U.S., various measles vaccines, such as GSK's Priorix, are generally available at local pharmacies.

COCA Now emails will be sent as soon as possible after the CDC publishes new content, ensuring clinicians are updated.