health
Utah reports more than 600 measles cases as outbreak spreads across US
Data shows 85% of those infected in the state have been not vaccinated against measles as dozens are hospitalized
TL;DR
- Utah has reported 602 measles cases tied to an ongoing outbreak, with 19 new infections identified recently.
- About one-third of infected individuals required emergency room visits due to severe symptoms.
- Of the 602 cases, 49 individuals required hospitalization.
- 85% of those infected (513 people) were not vaccinated against measles.
- The spread in Utah is occurring more broadly across the general population, unlike many previous outbreaks linked to specific communities.
- Approximately 90% of Utah residents are vaccinated, but this is insufficient for herd immunity, which typically requires 95% coverage.
- A bill proposing easier opt-outs from school vaccination requirements was introduced in Utah amid the outbreak.
- The outbreak originally began in Texas over a year ago and has contributed to measles being considered no longer eliminated in the US.
- Misinformation from figures like Robert F Kennedy Jr. has complicated the situation, promoting vaccination as a personal choice and unproven treatments.