Measles cases are on track for their highest annual total since the disease was 'eliminated'

The measles have most certainly not been bumped.

Thanks to the widespread adoption of vaccines, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared the virus eliminated in the U.S. in 2000. But America still saw 667 reported measles cases in 2014, and 2019's total looks like it'll shatter that record, CDC numbers released Monday show.

CDC numbers reported the first week of March already put 2019 on track for a record-breaking year. And as of Monday, the 387 cases reported in 2019 have already surpassed 2018's total of 372. Six outbreaks are still ongoing throughout the U.S.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

In the current measles record year of 2014, more than half of those cases occurred "primarily among unvaccinated Amish communities in Ohio," the CDC writes. Last year, most outbreaks happened "primarily among unvaccinated people in Orthodox Jewish communities" in New York and New Jersey, the CDC continues.

This year, all the ongoing outbreaks have been traced to travelers who visited countries with measles outbreaks of their own, so the CDC would really like you to get vaccinated before going anywhere. The CDC also insists you vaccinate yourself and your kids even if you're staying in the U.S.