New numbers from the Centers for Disease Control showing a surprising increase in measles cases throughout the country.
The CDC says the numbers of measles cases in the United States for the entire year of 2018 was 387.
But, in the first three months of 2019, they’ve already seen 372 cases.
The CDC says two main reasons are responsible for the increase.
The first reason - travelers.
People visiting or staying in the United States - bringing the virus with them.
“Fewer people are getting their children vaccinated for measles and other childhood diseases,” Mary Beth Saunders, Medical Director of Infection Prevention of Epidemiology at Lee Health.
“If your child has not been vaccinated from measles…that would be the best way to protect them.”
The topic of vaccinations is a complicated, often-times divisive topic.
FOX 4 spoke with one Southwest Florida dad about the report.
He says his oldest children were vaccinated.
But, his youngest two children did not receive vaccines. A choice he made after he says he completing extensive research.
The State of Florida was not listed as one of the six states facing an outbreak. But, the Florida Department of Health says last year’s measles cases were notably higher than the previous eight years before that.
