US measles cases hit highest mark in 25 years

April 24, 2019 at 1:54 p.m.

by MIKE STOBBE AP Medical Writer

In this March 27, 2019, file photo, a woman receives a measles, mumps and rubella vaccine at the Rockland County Health Department in Pomona, N.Y. Measles cases in the U.S. this year have climbed to the highest level in 25 years, according to preliminary figures, a resurgence attributed largely to misinformation about vaccines. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
In this March 27, 2019, file photo, a woman receives a measles, mumps and rubella vaccine at the Rockland County Health Department in Pomona, N.Y. Measles cases in the U.S. this year have climbed to the highest level in 25 years, according to preliminary figures, a resurgence attributed largely to misinformation about vaccines. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

NEW YORK -- U.S. measles cases have climbed to their highest level in 25 years, largely because misinformation is turning parents against vaccines.

New York City health officials on Wednesday reported 61 new cases since late last week. According to an Associated Press count, that pushes this year's national tally past the 667 cases reported for all of 2014. It makes it the worst year for measles since 1994.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updates its national measles count on Mondays. CDC officials on Wednesday said they are reviewing and validating the latest reports.

Roughly three-quarters of this year's illnesses have been in New York, mainly in New York City and nearby Rockland County. Most of those cases have been in unvaccinated people in Orthodox Jewish communities.

The CDC recommends the vaccine for every American over 1 year old.

NW News on 04/25/2019

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