The United States is facing its most significant outbreak of measles since 1991, with a staggering total of 1,288 cases reported nationwide and six months still remaining in the year. Despite this alarming trend, health officials in Gaines County, Texas, once deemed the epicenter of measles activity, have announced that they are no longer witnessing active transmission of the virus. The latest update from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates an increase of 14 cases compared to all of 2019, a year when the U.S. nearly lost its designation as a country that had eliminated measles.
This year has also seen three tragic deaths attributed to measles in the U.S., all involving unvaccinated individuals: two elementary school-aged children from West Texas and an adult from New Mexico. The majority of cases have been concentrated in Texas, where a major outbreak persisted through late winter and spring. Fortunately, no new cases have been reported in Texas this week.
Several other states are currently grappling with ongoing outbreaks, defined by the CDC as three or more related cases. These states include Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Utah. Notably, Missouri confirmed its first outbreak on July 3.
North America is also witnessing significant outbreaks beyond the U.S. In Ontario, Canada, there have been 2,223 reported cases from mid-October through July 2, with the province logging its first death on June 5, involving a baby with congenital measles and other health complications. Meanwhile, Alberta, Canada, has recorded 1,246 cases as of this week, and the Mexican state of Chihuahua has reported 2,966 cases and eight deaths, according to local health ministry data.
Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that spreads through the air via respiratory droplets from an infected person’s cough, sneeze, or breath. It is a preventable disease through vaccination and was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000.
As of Tuesday, Texas has reported 753 outbreak-related measles cases across 36 counties, primarily in West Texas. During this outbreak, 99 individuals have been hospitalized. Health officials indicate that less than 1% of these cases, amounting to fewer than 10, are still actively infectious. Notably, over half of Texas' cases originate from Gaines County, where 414 cases have been documented since late January, accounting for just under 2% of the county's population.
New Mexico has recorded 95 measles cases, with the majority occurring in Lea County. An outbreak has also been linked to a jail in Luna County, resulting in 14 cases. An unvaccinated adult tragically died from a measles-related illness on March 6 after not seeking medical care. Since the outbreak began, seven individuals have been hospitalized.
Oklahoma's total remains steady at 17 confirmed cases, including three probable cases. The state health department has not disclosed the specific counties involved.
Arizona has reported four cases in Navajo County, all linked to a single source, with the county health department confirming that all were unvaccinated and had a history of recent international travel.
In Colorado, there have been a total of 16 measles cases this year, including an outbreak of 10 related cases associated with a Turkish Airlines flight that arrived at Denver International Airport in mid-May. Health officials are also monitoring an unrelated case in a fully vaccinated Boulder County resident who traveled to Europe.
Georgia has confirmed an outbreak of three cases in metro Atlanta, with the most recent case identified on June 18.
Illinois has reported a four-case outbreak in the far southern part of the state, which expanded to eight cases by June 6. No further cases have emerged in subsequent weeks.
Iowa has registered six measles cases this year, with four tied to an outbreak in eastern Johnson County among members of the same household.
Kansas has reported a total of 87 measles cases across 11 counties, following the addition of five new cases this week, with three hospitalizations. Most cases are centered in Gray County.
Central Kentucky is experiencing an outbreak with eight documented cases in Fayette County, which includes Lexington, and neighboring Woodford County.
In Michigan, four cases have been reported in Grand Traverse County, with the state tally reaching 18 cases this year, of which eight are linked to outbreaks.
Missouri has confirmed seven measles cases, with five located in southwestern Cedar County, where four are from the same family.
Montana has reported 25 measles cases, primarily concentrated in Gallatin County, marking the state's first outbreak in 35 years.
North Dakota, having not seen measles since 2011, recorded 34 cases by June 6 and has remained steady since. All confirmed cases involved unvaccinated individuals.
Utah has documented nine total measles cases, with at least three linked, as state epidemiologist Dr. Leisha Nolen noted multiple clusters in the state.
Measles cases have also emerged this year in various states including Alaska, Arkansas, California, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, and many others. Outbreaks in Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania have been declared over after six weeks without new cases.
The most effective way to prevent measles is through the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The CDC recommends that children receive their first dose between 12 and 15 months old and a second dose between 4 and 6 years old. Adults concerned about waning immunity can safely receive an additional MMR shot. Importantly, individuals immunized before 1968 with an ineffective vaccine should be revaccinated. Those with documentation of previous measles infection are considered immune.
Measles struggles to spread in communities with high vaccination rates, typically over 95%, due to herd immunity. However, national childhood vaccination rates have declined since the pandemic, with more parents seeking exemptions for personal or religious reasons.
Measles initially infects the respiratory tract, leading to symptoms such as a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes, and a characteristic rash. The rash typically appears three to five days after the initial symptoms, beginning on the face and spreading downward. Once the rash emerges, fever can escalate to over 104 degrees Fahrenheit. While most children recover from measles, complications can include pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling, and even death.
Currently, there is no specific treatment for measles, and healthcare providers focus on alleviating symptoms, preventing complications, and ensuring patient comfort throughout the recovery process.
For more information on measles and vaccination, please consult health professionals or the CDC's official guidelines.
