Tracking measles: April 11

Multiple states newly affected

This series tracks measles alerts that might not make major headlines. After discovering a measles exposure in my area that I almost missed, I created these updates to help others stay informed. Paid subscribers receive brief, skimmable reports twice weekly (Tuesdays and Fridays) on new cases nationwide. New: I plan to continue these reports through at least May.

General updates

• Since my last update on Tuesday, Arkansas and Hawaii reported cases for the first time this year. At least five states have reported ten or more cases, which is very unusual. Texas continues to register the most cases, with 541 to date.

• According to the CDC, 712 cases have been reported so far this year. 1 in 3 (32%) are under the age of 5, and 1 in 10 (11%) have been hospitalized.

• This year's measles total may eventually surpass the 2019 total of 1,274 cases, which was the largest number of cases recorded since the virus was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000.

• In case it’s of interest, I was recently spoke with Ari Shapiro at All Things Considered about what it would take to get measles under control and my book, Crisis Averted: The Hidden Science of Fighting Outbreaks. Both the audio recording and the transcript are available online.

The following jurisdictions have reported measles cases since Tuesday. I made some exceptions to that time window where noted. States are in alphabetical order.

Arkansas

A case was reported in an unvaccinated child who had traveled out of state. Exposed locations include an urgent care in Benton, Saline Hospital Emergency Department, Benton Family Clinic and Arkansas Children’s Emergency Department.

A second case also reported in an unvaccinated pediatric child. Exposed locations include Arkansas Pediatrics and the Arkansas Children’s Emergency Department, again.

California

No new cases reported in California.

Colorado

A third case was reported in Colorado. The person is an adult in Archuleta County. Exposed locations include Wolf Creek Ski Area and Resort, Pagosa Medical Group, and City Market in Pagosa. Dates range from March 28-31.

This follows recent reports of cases in Pueblo and Denver counties. The exposed locations for those counties can be found here.