Measles is reemerging in the United States after being deemed eradicated for 26 years, and health officials are finding it harder to downplay the seriousness of the situation.
Since January, over 1,350 measles cases have been reported across 31 states, as stated by the CDC. This marks a significant increase compared to recent years, and authorities believe that spring break travel is worsening the spread at a particularly unfortunate time.
“Measles cases are spreading like wildfire this year,” noted Michigan’s chief medical executive, Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian. “In this case, what happens on spring break does not stay on spring break. Measles is incredibly contagious and can easily come back with us, infecting others in our schools and communities.”
Which State Has the Biggest Measles Outbreak?
The state most affected this year is South Carolina, which has reported 697 cases, the highest in the nation. Utah follows with 249 cases, driven by outbreaks in several counties, including Utah County, Salt Lake, and the Southwest Health District. Texas, which made headlines last year due to a significant outbreak, has recorded 162 cases this year after an even larger surge of 803 cases in 2025. Florida has seen 131 cases, followed by Arizona with 56 and California with 30.
Michigan recently reported cases as well, with Washtenaw County confirming three cases since March 12, all linked to travel from Florida. There’s no known exposure within Michigan, but officials caution that, with the illness now in the state, community transmission is increasingly likely.
Health authorities are urging anyone who is unvaccinated or uncertain about their vaccination status to get vaccinated before traveling, especially during spring break.
Anyone showing symptoms—such as fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, or a distinctive red rash—should contact their doctor prior to going to a clinic or emergency room to avoid exposing others.
