US nears measles record with 71 new cases: 3 things to know

The CDC confirmed 71 new measles cases in the past week, bringing the annual total to 626 infections as of April 19.

Three things to know:

1. The agency has confirmed measles cases in 22 states. Of the 71 new cases last week, 68 occurred in New York, reports NBC News.

2. The 2019 case count will likely surpass the record 667 cases reported in 2014 within a few weeks, the CDC said. 2014 marked the worst year for measles since 2000, when the CDC declared the virus eradicated in the U.S.

3. The FDA also reassured the public about the safety and efficacy of the mumps, measles and rubella vaccine in an April 22 statement. The agency encouraged Americans to get vaccinated, noting two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97 percent effective against measles.

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