Measles outbreak writting on laptop keyboard background

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported that there are now at least 712 confirmed measles cases in 25 different jurisdictions. This after only just the first quarter of the year. 

Comparatively, there were 1,274 reported cases in 2019, but if this figure is surpassed, ABC News reports that it would lead to the highest number of cases recorded since 1992.

Quick facts:
- 11 percent of measles patients in the U.S. this year have been hospitalized
- The majority of those impacted are under the age of 19
- 97 percent of confirmed cases are people who are unvaccinated
- Texas accounts for almost 550 of the confirmed measles cases
- Two confirmed deaths have been linked to measles with one more under investigation

According to Daily Mail reporting, measles is transmitted via direct contact with infectious droplets released into the air by coughing, sneezing or breathing. These infectious droplets can hang in the air for up to two hours.