As three cases of measles were confirmed in Bergen County, New Jersey, which is home to a densely populated Korean community, New York City has also reported two cases of measles, heightening concerns among health authorities. The New York City Department of Health announced on March 4th that, as of the end of February, there were two confirmed cases of measles in the city, one of which occurred earlier this year. The health department did not disclose specific details about the patients, such as their age, location, or vaccination status.
In 2023, New York City reported 14 confirmed cases of measles, representing nearly all the 15 cases reported across the entire state. In comparison, there was only one confirmed case of measles in the city during 2023. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that, as of February 27th, there had been 164 confirmed cases of measles across the United States. Notably, 20% of these cases resulted in hospitalization. Among these, 145 cases were in Texas, where an unvaccinated child tragically died from the disease. This marks the first measles-related death in the U.S. since 2015.
Measles was declared eradicated in the United States in 2000, but cases have been on the rise in recent years. Symptoms typically appear 10 to 14 days after infection with the measles virus. Initially, individuals may experience cold-like symptoms, including a cough, runny nose, and conjunctivitis. This is followed by a high fever (101°F or higher) and a rash that begins on the face and spreads throughout the body. In severe cases, measles can lead to complications, including death.