US measles cases in 2019 top 1,000 - already highest yearly number for three decades

Outbreak is largest of its kind in nearly three decades

The US measles epidemic has surpassed 1,000 cases, health officials said, marking the highest level in nearly 27 years.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention updated its count on Wednesday, saying 1,001 illnesses have been reported since the beginning of the year.

Most are from outbreaks in New York in Orthodox Jewish communities. The nation last saw this many cases in 1992, when more than 2,200 were reported.

“The Department of Health and Human Services has been deeply engaged in promoting the safety and effectiveness of vaccines, amid concerning signs that there are pockets of undervaccination around the country," Alex Azar, US Health and Human Services secretary, said in a statement.

"The 1,000th case of a preventable disease like measles is a troubling reminder of how important that work is to the public health of the nation," he added.

Measles became rare after vaccination campaigns started in the 1960s. A decade ago, there were fewer than 100 cases a year.

While overall vaccination rates have remained fairly high, outbreaks have been happening in communities where parents have refused recommended shots for their children.

The latest figures were updated after the agency initially reported 20 fewer cases on Monday.

"We cannot say this enough: Vaccines are a safe and highly effective public health tool that can prevent this disease and end the current outbreak," the health secretary continued in his statement.

“The measles vaccine is among the most-studied medical products we have and is given safely to millions of children and adults each year,” he added. “I encourage all Americans to talk to your doctor about what vaccines are recommended to protect you, your family, and your community from measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases."

The Associated Press contributed to this report