As cold and flu season drags on, multiple states across the U.S. are now also reporting cases of measles, a highly contagious virus that primarily affects children.
The preventable illness was once common but was eradicated in the U.S. thanks to the widespread use of vaccines, with most current cases originating outside of the country and occurring in unvaccinated people.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an emergency warning on Jan. 25, telling the public to remain vigilant after 23 cases were confirmed in several different states between December 1, 2023, and January 23, 2024. The case count remains low, but reports of new infections have continued to pop up in states across the U.S., with some tied directly to international travelers.