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... In the United States, there have been 277 measles cases reported across 30 states and the District of Columbia in 2024, more than four times the number of cases last year when there were 59 cases, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, there were 16 outbreaks in 2024 compared to just four in 2023.

A measles outbreak is defined as three or more related cases, with disruptive outbreaks defined as 20 or more cases per 1 million people in a year.

"The alarming rise in measles cases globally and here in the U.S. is a stark reminder of the consequences of falling vaccination rates," said Dr. John Brownstein, chief innovation officer at Boston Children's Hospital and an ABC News medical contributor. "We're seeing preventable outbreaks that endanger the most vulnerable among us -- especially young children."

Measles vaccination rates have been under the national target of 95% for at least three years, according to the CDC. Brownstein added that the surge in cases was worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to millions of children missing routine childhood vaccinations. An estimated 96% of measles cases this year were in children who were not fully vaccinated.

"We're now seeing the ripple effects of those missed doses, emphasizing the critical need to strengthen vaccination campaigns and public health initiatives to regain lost ground," Brownstein said. ...