The number of measles cases reported in the U.S. already surpassed the total number of cases reported during all of last year.
Right now there are 320 reports nationwide.
Florida saw its first reported case earlier this month.
The largest number of cases are in Texas and New Mexico. Texas reported 280 infections while News Mexico reported 38.
Health experts warn that some infections may go unreported which is why it’s a good idea to get vaccinated.
Richard Kuhn with Purdue University discussed how the measles vaccine is one of the safest out there.
“It’s very attenuated, which means that when you get it, you’re going to get an immune response against the virus that will protect you, but you’re not going to get really any symptoms of measles,” Kuhn said.
Currently, vaccination rates are declining.
“It is very disappointing because we have the tools, the technology, and the science to be able to prevent this disease,” Dr. Jen Brull said. “What this tells us is, if more people were vaccinated, we would not be seeing a resurgence of measles in the United States today.”
It’s important to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms.
Measles can cause a fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes, or rash.
According to the CDC, 1 in 5 unvaccinated people infected with measles will be hospitalized.
The vaccine that protects against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella is given in two doses.
The first shot is given to young children between 12 and 15 months.
The second is given to those between 4 and 6 years old.
Older children and adults are also able to get the vaccine, but only if they were never vaccinated.