Report: These Places in the US Have the Highest Risk of a Measles Outbreak

Researchers have identified 25 counties in the US that are most likely to have a measles outbreak this year, CNN reports. The findings were published in the Lancet Infectious Diseases, and were based on factors such as low vaccination rates and a high number of travelers in the area.

According to the paper, these counties are the most at risk:

1. Cook, Illinois
2. Los Angeles
3. Miami-Dade, Florida
4. Queens, New York
5. King, Washington
6. Maricopa, Arizona
7. Broward, Florida
8. Clark, Nevada
9. Harris, Texas
10. Honolulu
11. Wayne, Michigan
12. Tarrant, Texas
13. Multnomah, Oregon
14. Orange, Florida
15. Essex, New Jersey
16. Denver, Colorado
17. Hillsborough, Florida
18. San Mateo, California
19. Salt Lake, Utah
20. Suffolk, Massachusetts
21. Clayton, Georgia
22. Travis, Texas
23. Hennepin, Minnesota
24. Loudoun, Virginia
25. San Diego

The places where measles outbreaks are happening this year are locations where the researchers listed as very likely in their previous model, which was mostly completed in February, study co-author Lauren Gardner, an associate professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at Johns Hopkins University explains to CNN.

This year, we’ve seen the greatest number of reported cases in the US since the disease was eliminated from the country in 2000, according to the CDC. As of May 3, there have been 764 individual cases of measles confirmed in 23 states. Earlier this year, the World Health Organization named the anti-vax movement a global health threat for 2019, and stressed that vaccinating yourself and your kids is the most cost-effective way to avoid disease.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.