Measles Outbreak 2019: Recent Outbreak On Track To Break Record For Confirmed Cases According To CDC

After dozens of newly confirmed measles cases, the U.S. is growing closer to record number this year.

The latest report from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has revealed the number of confirmed measles cases has reached 626 cases across 22 states after another 71 confirmed cases emerged last week.

This makes 2019 the second-highest year for confirmed measles cases since 2000, with 2014 still holding the record at 667 for the full year. The CDC also believes that it will pass the 2014 record within the next few weeks.

Health officials at the state and local level have also expressed concerns over the growing number of cases, especially with this time of year. One of the largest outbreaks of measles occurring outside the U.S. has been in Israel, which has raised concerns over more cases popping up from people traveling to Israel for Passover.

New York alone has been a hotbed of measles cases, whether it’s been up in Rockland County or in one of New York City’s boroughs. Queens and Brooklyn are home to large Orthodox Jewish communities that have been battling the measles.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio had to declare a health emergency in Brooklyn to ensure people receive proper vaccinations. Rockland County has also tried to combat measles with fines and blocking unvaccinated children from school, though this has been met with legal action on the part of several parents.