Measles outbreaks in Pennsylvania and New York are sparking concern, but so far, the numbers in New England remain very low.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are currently 963 measles cases in Pennsylvania and 78 in New York as of Oct. 1.
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WATCH HEREMeanwhile, in Massachusetts, there have been only two cases this year. Maine has had six cases, Connecticut three, and Rhode Island and Vermont one apiece. New Hampshire has had no measles cases. New England states are among the most highly vaccinated in the country.
Two measles cases were confirmed in Massachusetts residents back in February, and health officials issued a warning in April after a measles exposure at Boston Logan International Airport. Maine reported a measles case and possible exposure at an urgent care facility last month.
The Massachusetts Department of Health said both measles cases in Massachusetts this year were in individuals who contracted it outside of the state.
"With soaring measles activity in the US and abroad, it is likely that measles will be introduced into Massachusetts," a spokesperson for the agency said via email. "We are fortunate to have an overall very high rate of measles vaccination in Massachusetts but acknowledge that there are under-vaccinated pockets where an outbreak of limited size could occur."
Pennsylvania's measles outbreak is now the largest in the U.S. in three decades, NBC News reported, and it shows no signs of slowing. Five people in the state have died, including two babies.
“I would bet that this goes on for at least another three to six months,” said Dr. John Goldman, an infectious disease expert at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. “We have seen an increase in vaccinations, but we aren’t seeing enough people get vaccinated to stop the epidemic.”
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency on Monday due to the rise in measles cases. According to state officials, the people getting sick are largely unvaccinated.
Prior to the Pennsylvania outbreak, an outbreak earlier this year in South Carolina was previously the largest in about 30 years. That outbreak was linked to a community of people who emigrated from Ukraine over the past few decades.
Measles is high contagious and is marked by a high fever, rash, and cold-like symptoms. Doctors say its good to know your vaccination status, but if you don't, a simple blood test can tell you as well.
