Measles cases are most likely being underreported in the United States, as public health officials scramble to find resources to address a ballooning outbreak in the Southwest, according to Dr. David Sugerman, a senior scientist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
So far this year, 747 cases have been recorded in the United States, according to NBC News’ tally.
Tragically, two unvaccinated children in Texas and an unvaccinated adult in New Mexico have died. The adult tested positive for measles, but the official cause of death is still under investigation.
Dr. Sugerman, who is leading the CDC’s measles response, commented during a meeting of the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee that more than 90% of the cases are “related to the Southwest outbreak, driven by transmission in close-knit, undervaccinated communities.”
He noted that the remaining cases largely stem from imported infections from other countries.
“We do believe that there’s quite a large amount of cases that are not reported and underreported,” Sugerman stated as he provided updates on measles to the committee.
He elaborated that in working closely with colleagues in Texas, families may mention prior cases of measles that recovered without confirmation through testing, or have cases that never sought treatment.
In response to the outbreak, the CDC has deployed 15 people to Texas for management and is sending seven more this week.
Sugerman also mentioned that the agency continues to make measles vaccines available to health departments upon request and is working to standardize and expand wastewater surveillance.
However, the CDC recently cut $11.4 billion in Covid funding, some of which had previously supported state health departments in responding to disease outbreaks.
Sugerman explained that the loss of Covid grant money has created “funding limitations” in Texas, with state officials redirecting personnel to work on the measles response or moving them from other regions to assist efforts in outbreak areas.
“We are scraping to find the resources and personnel needed to provide support to Texas and other jurisdictions,” he remarked.
As of the latest reports, 561 cases have been confirmed as part of the West Texas outbreak, according to the state’s Department of State Health Services.
Each measles case may cost between $30,000 and $50,000 to address, which accumulates quickly in terms of overall financial burden.
Before this year, the United States had not seen a measles death in a decade, and a child hadn’t died from measles since 2003.
Many public health experts have criticized the response of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to the outbreak.
While Kennedy has urged people to get the measles vaccine, he has characterized vaccination as a personal choice and emphasized unproven treatments such as steroids or antibiotics.
He has also repeatedly claimed that immunity from the measles vaccine wanes quickly, despite robust evidence indicating that two doses of the vaccine provide lifelong protection.
At a media event in Indiana on Tuesday, Kennedy claimed the CDC has “done a very good job at controlling the measles outbreak,” reportedly pointing to higher case numbers in Europe.
However, the figure he referenced—127,000 cases—was the total from the previous year across 53 countries, making it an unequal comparison to the current outbreak in the United States.
Kennedy also suggested that “healthy children should not die of measles” if doctors know how to treat it.
In reality, no specific treatment is approved for measles, and unvaccinated children are particularly susceptible to severe complications like pneumonia and brain swelling.
According to the CDC, approximately 1 to 3 out of every 1,000 children with measles face death due to respiratory and neurological complications.
The CDC’s vaccine advisory committee gathered for the first time since Kennedy took office on February 13.
Originally scheduled for late February, the meeting’s postponement was attributed to allowing time for public comment, according to a senior HHS spokesperson.
Kennedy has previously raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest among committee members, citing ties to the pharmaceutical industry.
Yet, most scientists maintain that it is appropriate for members to accept industry funding for vaccine research as long as it is disclosed.
Helen Keipp Talbot, who chaired the committee on Tuesday, expressed her disappointment that they had to address rising measles case numbers.
“I find it absolutely devastating that we’re having this update today,” she stated.
“There’s no reason why we have healthy children dying of measles in the U.S. when this vaccine is amazing. It’s highly effective and has a very long-lasting immunity.”
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