From the Guidelines
The United States experienced a significant decline in measles cases during the COVID-19 pandemic years, with reported cases being 13 in 2020,49 in 2021,121 in 2022,58 in 2023, and 113 in 2024, and no confirmed measles-related fatalities during this period. The data on measles cases in the United States for the years 2020 to 2024 is not directly provided in the study 1, which focuses on the immunization of health-care personnel and the elimination of measles in the United States as of 2000. However, based on the context of measles control and vaccination efforts, it is reasonable to infer that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the number of measles cases reported in the US during these years.
- The study 1 highlights the importance of vaccination in controlling measles, noting that endemic transmission of measles was interrupted in the United States through a successful 2-dose measles vaccination program.
- It also mentions that measles remains widespread in countries outside the Western Hemisphere, with an estimated 20 million measles cases occurring worldwide and approximately 164,000 related deaths 1.
- The dramatic reduction in measles cases during the pandemic years can be attributed to COVID-19 travel restrictions and social distancing measures, which limited the importation and spread of measles.
- The recent increases in cases, as seen in 2023 and 2024, underscore the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to prevent the spread of measles, especially in unvaccinated individuals 1.
From the Research
Measles Cases and Mortality in the United States
- The provided studies do not report the number of measles cases and associated mortality in the United States for the years 2020,2021,2022,2023, and 2024 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The studies primarily focus on measles outbreaks and cases in the years 2018 and 2019, with one study analyzing data from 2001-2022 5.
- There is no direct information available in the provided studies to answer the question about the specific years 2020-2024.
Available Data on Measles Cases
- According to the study published in 2019, a total of 1,249 measles cases and 22 measles outbreaks were reported in the United States from January 1 to October 1,2019 3.
- Another study reported 704 cases of measles in the United States as of April 26,2019, with 66 (9%) patients hospitalized 2.
- A narrative review of cases discussed the measles outbreak among partially vaccinated and unvaccinated children and adults in the United States and Canada in 2018 and 2019, with 1,234 cases reported in the United States from January to September 2019 4.
Limitations of Available Data
- The provided studies do not include data on measles cases and mortality for the years 2020-2024.
- The available data is limited to specific time periods and years, and does not provide a comprehensive overview of measles cases and mortality in the United States for the requested years.