Philadelphia Confirms 9th Measles Cases in 2024

The Philadelphia Health Department reported another new case of measles, the ninth confirmed measles case in 2024.

Today’s (Jan. 16, 2024) case is the 5th measles case associated with the previously reported daycare outbreak.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), most measles outbreaks in the United States are related to unvaccinated international travelers.

Since measles is a vaccine-preventable disease, the Health Department is coordinating several vaccination opportunities to ensure that children and adults who need the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine can be vaccinated for free in their community.

People seeking MMR vaccination do not need any identification; a piece of mail with an address on it will qualify them as a Philadelphia resident, and insurance is not required to be vaccinated.

In addition to the measles outbreak in Philadelphia, cases have recently been reported in New Jersey, Delaware, and Virginia.

On the West Coast, six measles cases were recently confirmed in Clark and Wahkiakum counties in Washington in January 2024.

Globally, the CDC identified 47 countries with recent measles outbreaks led by Yemen and India.

In the U.S., measles vaccination services are generally offered at clinics and pharmacies.