About a month ago, the rate of new measles cases was accelerating at a seemingly unprecedented rate with more than 100 infections being confirmed every week. However, over the last couple of weeks, the rate of newly confirmed cases appears to be slowing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed an average of 22 weekly cases over the last two weeks.
Even in western Texas, which had been driving most new cases in the U.S., about 11 cases have been confirmed since May 23. Public health experts told ABC News they believe measles cases are slowing down due to a mix of vaccination, a build of natural immunity and people staying home when sick. The CDC only includes confirmed cases, therefore not all cases may be accounted for. “It was really about two weeks ago where we’re going, ‘Is this really slowing down?'” Katherine Wells, director of public health for the in Lubbock, Texas, told ABC News. To read the full story.