During the first 2 months of 2024, 41 measles cases have been reported across 16 states, including Missouri. In all of 2023, there were only 58 cases in the U.S. Nearly one in four (24%) St. Louis adults reported hearing that measles cases were on the rise last week.
Because most measles cases are reported among children, it is especially important for parents to be aware of the risks. Yet, St. Louis survey respondents with children <18 living at home were less likely to hear about rising measles cases than those without children (19% vs 24%).
Measles often spreads from unvaccinated or under-vaccinated individuals to others who are not vaccinated against measles. Of the 16 states that have reported measles cases, 12 have vaccination rates for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) among kindergarteners less than CDC’s recommendation.
Measles can be serious. In the U.S., about 1 in 5 people who get measles will be hospitalized. Measles vaccination reduces both the spread of measles and the severity of its symptoms.
St. Louis’ results were part of a national survey of 421 adults in MD, MO, and NE. Adults were asked if they’d heard in the last 7 days that “Measles cases are on the rise.” Although Maryland and Missouri have both reported measles cases in 2024, participants in Baltimore were more likely to hear this claim than those in St. Louis (35% vs 24%). Rates of hearing the claim were also higher in Omaha (35%).
Community organizations in St. Louis can share the resources below to remind community members (especially people with children) to take necessary precautions and be up-to-date with the MMR vaccination.
This week’s report is based on responses from a panel of adult residents of Baltimore, MD (n=176); St. Louis, MO (n=156); and Omaha, NE (n=86), surveyed from Saturday, March 2 to Monday, March 4, 2024. Explore these data and more at iHeardSTL.
Download the graphics below to share about this topic.
Suggested Caption:
Have you been hearing about the recent measles outbreaks? Swipe to learn more about what’s going on.
The takeaway: measles is preventable. Vaccinations reduce the spread of measles & the severity of symptoms.
#iHeardSTL #Measles #StayHealthy #GetVaccinated
Suggested Caption:
Have you been hearing about the recent measles outbreaks? As of February 29, 41 measles cases were reported in 16 states, including Missouri. 12 out of those 16 states have Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccination rates less than the recommended target coverage of 95%.
Vaccinations reduce the spread of measles & the severity of symptoms.
#iHeardSTL #Measles #StayHealthy #GetVaccinated
