Study: 2025 measles cases in U.S. already 300% higher than 2024
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - A new study shows that in 25 years, the United States could see millions more cases of the measles.
This study coming out as vaccination rates drop and cases of the disease rise.
Back in 2000, the disease was considered eradicated in the United States. Now, the country has seen nearly 900 cases so far this year, which is up more than 300% from the 285 cases reported in 2024, according to the CDC.
“Measles is highly contagious in those who are not immunized,” said Dr. Ben Spitalnick with the Pediatric Associates of Savannah.
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He said a drop in vaccination rates is largely to blame for this spike in cases. To reach herd immunity, at least 95% of the population needs to be vaccinated. He said Georgia used to have that number, but now it’s dropped to 88%.
“Which means we are potentially set up for a measles outbreak if it were to come this way,” said Dr. Spitalnick.
A new study, published in the journal JAMA, shows that if vaccination rates continue to decline, the U.S. could be looking at 51.2 million cases of the virus in the next 25 years.
“It’s scary. Let me tell you something, measles is untreatable. It’s a virus, there is no treatment other than ive care,” said Dr. Spitalnick. “But it’s preventable, the vaccine is extremely safe, extremely effective.”
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In the last few years, the disease has had a strong resurgence, but after nearly two decades of very low case rates, some doctors are learning to treat it for the very first time.
“If you’ve been practicing for 20, 30 years or less, you may never have seen a case because it was gone. It was very eradicated in the United Sates,” said Dr. Spitalnick. “With a comeback, physicians are now relearning how to identify it. What does the rash look like? What are the symptoms? How do we test for it? So, we’re just now relearning how to be ready for measles, because it very well could make a comeback in our area.”
Most children get their first vaccine when they turn one, but if you plan on leaving the country or traveling somewhere that’s currently experiencing an outbreak, Dr. Spitalnick says you may want to talk to your doctor about getting it earlier. And if your child is older than one and still isn’t vaccinates, he urges you to talk to your doctor.
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