The United States has already reported more measles cases in the first three months of 2025 than in all of 2024, according to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), CNN reports.
So far this year, at least 308 cases have been confirmed, surpassing the 285 cases recorded last year.
Health officials attribute the surge primarily to a large outbreak affecting Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. In recent years, measles cases in the US have averaged around 179 per year, with about eight outbreaks annually. However, most outbreaks tend to remain under 50 cases. The current situation marks only the fifth time since 2000 that an outbreak has exceeded 100 cases and just the third time it has surpassed 200.
Measles is highly contagious but preventable through vaccination. The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is 97% effective after two doses. Despite this, declining vaccination rates have raised concerns among health officials, with misinformation contributing to hesitancy in some communities.
The outbreak has already resulted in severe health consequences. Last month, Texas reported its first measles-related death of the year—a school-aged child who was unvaccinated and had no underlying health conditions. In New Mexico, officials are investigating the death of an unvaccinated individual who tested positive for measles but had not sought medical care.
Measles was declared eliminated in the US in 2000, meaning there was no continuous transmission of the virus for at least 12 months. However, cases continue to emerge, often linked to international travel and pockets of unvaccinated individuals. In 2014, an outbreak connected to Disneyland caused widespread concern, and in 2019, a nearly year-long outbreak in New York came close to reversing the US’s elimination status.
