US recorded the highest number of measles cases since 2019, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There are now 712 confirmed measles cases in 24 states, up 105 cases from the previous week. That's likely an underestimate due to delays in states reporting the statistics to the federal health agency.

In 2019, there have been a total of 1,274 reported cases. If the U.S. were to surpass that figure, it would result in the largest number of measles cases since 1992.

Twenty-four states are affected, including Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and Washington.

At least five states, including Indiana, Kansas, New Mexico, Ohio and Texas, reported outbreaks, meaning three or more linked cases.

11% of U.S. measles patients this year have been hospitalized, with most under the age of 19.

Nationally, about 97% of those infected are people who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown. | BGNES