CDC Alert: Measles Surge Hits 1,281 Cases Across 31 States, Vaccination Urged for All Ages

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most urgent public health alert in the United States right now is a nationwide surge in measles. CDC’s latest weekly update reports 1,281 confirmed measles cases so far this year, with 12 documented outbreaks across 31 states plus New York City. Almost all cases are in children and teens, and about 93 percent of people infected are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status. CDC stresses that listeners should check their measles, mumps, and rubella, or MMR, vaccination status, especially before travel, school, or large gatherings. The Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota notes that Texas, Utah, South Carolina, Arizona, Florida, and Washington are among the hardest‑hit locations, with Texas approaching 100 cases and Utah continuing a large, ongoing outbreak from last year. CIDRAP also reports that South Carolina has recorded hundreds of cases in a single extended outbreak, underscoring how fast measles can spread in undervaccinated communities. CDC’s latest FluView and respiratory virus updates, summarized by CIDRAP, indicate that seasonal influenza activity remains elevated but is trending downward overall. Eleven additional pediatric flu deaths were reported this week, bringing the current season’s total to 90, with about 85 percent of those deaths in children who were not fully vaccinated against flu. CDC continues to recommend that listeners, especially young children, older adults, pregnant people, and those with chronic medical conditions, get a flu shot if they have not already, and stay home when sick. COVID‑19 activity is decreasing nationally, according to CDC, with declining emergency department visits and hospitalizations, though wastewater data still show higher virus levels in parts of the Upper Midwest and Northeast. CDC continues to recommend that people stay up to date with COVID‑19 vaccination and consider masks in crowded indoor spaces in areas reporting higher activity. Respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, is picking up again in some regions. CDC reports rising emergency visits, especially in infants and children under four. Parents are advised to talk with their child’s clinician about available preventive options, such as RSV monoclonal antibody products for infants and RSV vaccines recommended for certain pregnant people and older adults. Finally, U.S. travelers should know that CDC has issued a global Level 2 travel advisory for polio, as reported by Pharmacy Times and other outlets, urging enhanced precautions and up‑to‑date polio vaccination before international travel. Thank you for tuning in, and remember to subscribe so you don’t miss future health updates. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai. For more http://www.quietplease.ai Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta