Measles spreads, and nine vaccine-preventable diseases could follow

U.S. measles cases have topped about 900, and experts say declining vaccination coverage raises the risk that nine other vaccine-preventable diseases could increase.

U.S. health officials and experts report a rapid rise in measles cases this year, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's weekly count showing more than 900 confirmed cases. Public health researchers say this increase comes amid falling vaccination coverage in many areas. Measles is described as highly contagious and is often considered an early indicator of broader gaps in community immunity. Experts and international agencies have warned that other vaccine-preventable diseases could follow if immunity declines continue. What is known: - The CDC's recent weekly count reports more than 900 measles cases in the United States. - Specialists cited declining vaccination coverage as a factor that reduces community protection in some regions. - The reporting lists nine vaccine-preventable diseases that experts say could increase: pertussis, meningococcal disease, polio, rotavirus, RSV, tetanus, rubella, hepatitis B and diphtheria. - Some experts have said the U.S. could lose its measles elimination status; next procedural or policy steps were not specified in the report. Summary: The rise in reported measles cases is presented as an indicator of weakened vaccination coverage and a possible precursor to increases in other vaccine-preventable illnesses. Undetermined at this time.