Measles cases in the US have reached their highest level in 25 years, say officials



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The number of measles cases reported so far this year has reached its highest level in 25 years, officials said Wednesday.

61 new cases have emerged since the end of last week, according to health authorities in New York City. In the United States, this is apparently more than 667 cases reported in 2014, making 2019 the worst year since 1994 for measles, according to the Associated Press.

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The upsurge in cases would largely result from the spread of misinformation that has discouraged parents from vaccinating their children.

Measles is highly contagious and can be transmitted through the air after a cough or sneeze. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages all Americans over one year old to get vaccinated.

New York State is home to about three-quarters of the 2019 cases reported in the United States, much of it in unvaccinated individuals.

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In 2000, it was estimated that the disease had been eliminated in the country decades after vaccination. But the spread of erroneous information on vaccination has caused concern and provoked low vaccination rates in some areas. Vaccination is thought to be safe and very effective.

Associated Press contributed to this report.

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