The US has reported over 2,000 confirmed cases of measles this year, approaching the total of 2,228 cases from all of 2025. This trend indicates that this year might turn out to be the worst for measles in decades, especially as states face a decrease in federal funding for public health programs.
The spread of the virus continues in communities with low vaccination rates, affecting both unvaccinated individuals and infants too young for vaccination. This scenario highlights the significant impact of misinformation and the ongoing challenges in public health across the country.
As of June 4, 2,030 cases were recorded, but experts believe the real figure could be about three times higher. In Utah, it seems like the outbreak is slowing down, while cases in Virginia and Pennsylvania are increasing.
“I think we’re in for a hectic summer,” noted Andrew Pavia, a pediatric infectious disease expert from the University of Utah.
Utah’s situation differs from that of states like South Carolina and Texas. Pavia explained that the measles spread throughout the entire state, rather than being confined to certain areas. However, two main factors influenced how widely the virus spread: low vaccination rates in certain communities and limited resources at local health departments.
The measles cluster in Utah began in a community with weak ties to public health, complicating contact tracing efforts. Many young adults in these areas had not been sufficiently vaccinated, creating vulnerability. “With immunization rates dropping for up to two decades in some regions, these young adults are at risk, having grown up in what seemed like safe environments,” Pavia added.
Addressing measles effectively mandates strong public health practices, such as diligent contact tracing and quarantining the exposed, which has become a contentious issue since the Covid pandemic. Utah’s health infrastructure is decentralized, leading to a patchwork of responses from local health departments.
However, many of these smaller departments are strained in terms of personnel, funding, and training due to substantial cuts made to state and local health budgets—around $11 billion removed, according to Pavia.
It’s noteworthy that Utah’s governor, Spencer Cox, hasn’t mentioned measles since 2024, and political interference has muted public health communications from the department compared to states like South Carolina, where officials have provided clear, consistent updates on public health needs.
In South Carolina, the measles outbreak is reportedly under control, with a 162% increase in vaccinations in Spartanburg County last January. Yet, the situation was complex; the outbreak had reached nearly 1,000 documented cases—likely much higher in reality—resulting in at least one hospitalization from measles-related complications, as noted by pediatrician Annie Andrews.
Andrews expressed her frustration over the outbreak, emphasizing, “This was entirely preventable. It stems from years of vaccine misinformation.”
In early 2025, US poison control centers noted a 38.7% rise in cases related to vitamin A exposure, alongside increased online searches for this unproven treatment backed by vaccine skeptics, particularly Robert F. Kennedy Jr. He has characterized vaccination against measles as a personal choice despite the ongoing outbreak.
High vaccination coverage is crucial not just for controlling outbreaks but also for protecting those who can’t be vaccinated, such as infants under one year old, who remain highly susceptible. A recent CDC report detailed a case in Texas where a baby required hospitalization due to measles-related complications.
Pavia reminisced about how terrified parents were when measles circulated in their communities during his childhood. “Everyone knew of a child who had serious complications from measles—people took it seriously back then. It’s not the same now,” he remarked.
Currently, many parents report that their children’s illnesses are more severe than anticipated, as they experience intense light sensitivity, painful diarrhea, and high fevers.
Andrews reflected on the challenging landscape, acknowledging that the pervasive distrust in vaccines linked to the anti-science movement has made them particularly vulnerable to this outbreak. “Kennedy’s influence has exacerbated the spread of misinformation,” she said.
Pavia pointed out that overcoming the misinformation challenge is tough, especially when the leader of the health department has been a long-time critic of vaccines and has not actively worked to improve attitudes towards measles vaccination.
In response to this climate, Andrews has embraced new roles, becoming an advocate on social media to clarify vaccine importance and counteract misconceptions. She believes medical professionals have ignored the necessity of engaging in these spaces, resulting in a void filled by anti-vaccine influencers.
“If we don’t recognize the need to communicate effectively, we’ll keep losing ground to misinformation,” she warned.
Now, Andrews seeks to expand her impact by running for the US Senate in South Carolina. If elected, she would not only be the first female physician in the Senate but also the first pediatrician. “It’s crucial to have data-driven lawmakers engaged in these discussions,” she stated.
She concluded that rebuilding trust in vaccines is a long-term endeavor, pointing out the deep-rooted distrust surrounding public health and vaccines. “It’s heartbreaking to see the repercussions of this misunderstanding on patients,” she said.
