Start Of School Year Approaches Amid US Measles Outbreak

CNN (8/6, McPhillips) says that CDC data indicate “there have been more measles cases reported in the US in the past month – at least 89 confirmed cases since the start of July – than in most years since the disease was declared eliminated a quarter century ago.” The confirmed count of 1,356 cases since January is “higher than it’s been in more than 30 years. There have been 32 outbreaks this year, accounting for nearly 90% of all cases since January.” Meanwhile, the “start of the school year in the US poses new threats for the spread of measles amid a record-breaking year for cases and lagging vaccination rates.” It also “creates opportunities for trusted community leaders to encourage and promote vaccination, experts say.”