America's battle with measles is far from over, as several states continue to report increased cases of this vaccine-preventable viral disease. Recent data reveals that the country has reached a new record high for measles infections. Health officials from states including Michigan, California, and Illinois confirmed new cases of measles just this week. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2025 has seen the highest number of measles cases since the disease was eliminated domestically over 25 years ago. While the largest outbreaks of this year have concluded, there remains a significant risk that measles could reestablish itself in the United States.
Officials in Orange County, California, and Cook County, Illinois, reported one new case of measles each this week. In California, the case involved a toddler who had recently traveled domestically. Health officials promptly notified individuals who may have been exposed to the child in a healthcare setting. Fortunately, no other community exposure is suspected, as the family had been isolated during the critical period for transmission.
The Illinois case involved an adult who likely contracted measles from a previously identified infected individual. This marks the third reported case in the county this year. However, the most pressing new threat comes from Minnesota, where the Department of Health reported ten new cases this week, bringing the state’s total to 17 for the year. Notably, seven of these new cases are linked to three earlier infections, while the remaining three are believed to be related to international travel, originating from areas where measles remains endemic. Alarmingly, all the new cases in Minnesota have occurred among individuals who are unvaccinated against measles.
As of September 30, a total of 1,544 confirmed cases of measles have been reported in the United States this year, according to the CDC. A staggering 92% of these infections involve individuals who are either unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status. This year's tally far exceeds the previous modern high of 1,274 cases in 2019 and is the highest since 1992, which saw over 2,000 cases.
On a more positive note, New Mexico has officially declared the end of its large-scale measles outbreak, which had documented 100 cases since February 2025—the second-largest outbreak of the year. Texas experienced the largest outbreak, with 762 cases, but declared its situation under control in mid-August. However, these outbreaks have taken a toll, with approximately 200 children hospitalized and three fatalities reported from measles this year—the first U.S. deaths from the disease in a decade.
Beyond the immediate health concerns, measles can have long-term consequences. Research indicates that measles can lead to a phenomenon known as "immune amnesia," wherein individuals' immune systems lose the memory of previous infections. The latest cases underscore the ease with which measles can trigger new clusters of illness, especially in areas where vaccine uptake is low. Currently, only a few states in the U.S. maintain childhood vaccination rates for measles above the crucial 95% threshold necessary for herd immunity, which effectively prevents widespread outbreaks.
Even in states with high overall vaccination rates, there are specific communities where coverage is significantly lower. For instance, Texas's vaccination rate in 2023 and 2024 was slightly below 95%. Despite a majority of Americans supporting vaccines and current vaccination requirements, some leaders appear to undermine this public health initiative. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who took over as the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary this year, has downplayed the severity of the measles outbreaks and often questioned the efficacy of vaccines, a sentiment echoed by President Donald Trump.
As the situation evolves, it is critical for health officials and the public to prioritize vaccination to prevent future outbreaks and protect vulnerable populations. The ongoing measles crisis serves as a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage to ensure community health and safety.
