In 2025, the United States has reported over 1,000 cases of measles, marking a concerning upswing. This year stands out as the second time since the disease’s eradication was declared in the US 25 years ago that cases have soared to such levels. The ongoing multistate outbreak suggests that the nation could face its most challenging year since 2000.
As of Wednesday, at least 1,002 measles cases have been recorded, based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state health departments. A significant chunk—more than 800 cases—is linked to an outbreak in West Texas that’s extending to New Mexico, Oklahoma, and potentially Kansas. More cases are likely to emerge from these regions by Friday.
Experts warn that these figures may significantly underestimate the situation, as many cases remain unreported.
Historically, approximately 180 measles cases have been documented annually since the disease was declared eliminated in the US in 2000, according to CDC statistics.
Beyond this year, only 2019 saw a count exceeding 1,000 cases, driven by major outbreaks in New York City and nearby areas. In 2019, the CDC confirmed 1,274 cases, just 272 more than what has been recorded in the first five months of 2025.
The CDC releases measles data each Friday, but it has ceased offering specific case counts for individual states. Its national total sometimes fails to reflect the most recent updates from various states.
As of Friday, the CDC reported a total of 935 measles cases across the country. Around 13% of these instances led to hospitalization, and only about 4% involved individuals who had received at least one dose of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. This year has also seen three measles-related deaths, matching the total from the previous two decades.
There have been at least 12 outbreaks within the US this year, as defined by three or more related cases. In addition to the significant outbreak in West Texas, states like Ohio—reporting over 30 cases—Montana, and Michigan are also experiencing their own outbreaks.
