Watch CBS News

US Measles Tally Hits 465, With Most Illnesses In Kids

CORRECTION:  An earlier version of this story showed a file photograph of a child who had an adverse reaction to the MMR vaccine.  Due to an editing error, the child was misidentified in the caption as having measles.  CBSDFW apologizes for the error.

NEW YORK (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — U.S. measles cases are continuing to jump, and most of the reported illnesses are in children.

Health officials say 465 measles cases were reported this year, as of last week. That's up from 387 the week before.

The numbers are preliminary. The 2019 tally is already the most since 2014, when 667 were reported. The most before that was 963 cases in 1994.

Outbreaks have hit several states, including California, Michigan and New Jersey. New York City accounted for about two-thirds of the U.S. cases reported last week.

Just last week, Dallas County Health and Human Services reported its first confirmed case of measles in a Dallas resident since 2017.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated the numbers Monday. Roughly 80% of the cases are age 19 or younger.

The CDC recommends that all children get two doses of measles vaccine. It says the vaccine is 97% effective.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.