In 2025, the United States is experiencing a troubling rise in measles cases, with over 1,000 infections reported, according to a tally by CNN. This alarming statistic marks only the second time since the disease was declared eliminated in the US a quarter-century ago that cases have surged to such heights. As a large multistate outbreak continues to escalate, experts warn that the nation could be on track for its worst year regarding measles since 2000.
As of Wednesday, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and various state health departments have documented at least 1,002 measles cases in 2025. Notably, more than 800 of these cases are linked to a significant outbreak centered in West Texas, which has since spread to neighboring states, including New Mexico, Oklahoma, and potentially Kansas. Health officials anticipate additional cases will emerge from these regions as reports roll in.
Experts in epidemiology caution that the current figures represent a severe undercount of the actual number of measles cases. Many infections remain unreported, contributing to a potentially higher and more concerning tally. Historical data reveals that since measles was declared eliminated in the US in 2000, there has been an average of approximately 180 reported cases annually. The year 2019 stands out as the only other instance of exceeding 1,000 cases, driven by substantial outbreaks in New York City and nearby suburbs.
To provide context, there were 1,274 confirmed measles cases in 2019, only 272 cases more than the current figures recorded in the first five months of 2025. The CDC typically releases data on measles cases every Friday; however, it has ceased to provide detailed breakdowns of specific cases by state, complicating the tracking of the outbreak. As of the latest report, the CDC had documented 935 cases nationwide.
The repercussions of this outbreak are significant, with approximately 13% of reported cases resulting in hospitalization. Alarmingly, around 4% of those infected had received at least one dose of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. This underscores the importance of vaccination in controlling the spread of measles. Furthermore, there have been three reported measles-related deaths this year, matching the total number of fatalities attributed to the disease over the past two decades.
The CDC has identified at least 12 distinct outbreaks across the United States in 2025, defined as three or more related cases. In addition to the major outbreak in West Texas, other states experiencing outbreaks include Ohio, which has reported over 30 cases, as well as Montana and Michigan. This trend emphasizes the urgent need for public health initiatives aimed at increasing vaccination rates and raising awareness about the risks associated with measles.
As the situation develops, health officials continue to monitor the outbreaks closely, urging communities to adhere to vaccination guidelines to help mitigate the spread of this preventable disease.
