971 measles cases recorded in 2019 by U.S.

The United States recorded 971 cases of measles in the first five months of 2019, surpassing the total for any year since 1994, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said http://bit.ly/2Wc5UEd on Thursday. There were a total of 963 U.S. cases of measles in 1994, the CDC said in a statement.

Public health officials blame the resurgence on the spread of misinformation about vaccines. A vocal fringe of parents opposes vaccines, believing, contrary to scientific studies, that ingredients in them can cause autism. Although the virus was eliminated from the United States in 2000, meaning the disease was no longer a constant presence, outbreaks still happen because of travelers from countries where measles is common, the CDC said.