Measles Cases in the U.S. at a 30-Year High

According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of measles cases in the United States has reached its highest level in over three decades. As of Tuesday, there have been 1,288 confirmed cases across 38 states. Texas accounts for more than 700 of these cases.

To put this in perspective, last year the CDC recorded only 285 cases. There were slightly more in 2019, with 1,274 cases, but the current total is the most significant since 1992, which saw 2,126 cases reported.

The CDC notes, “27 outbreaks have been reported in 2025, with 88% of confirmed cases (1,288 out of 1,130) linked to these outbreaks.” By comparison, 16 outbreaks were noted in 2024, involving 69% of the cases.

Midwest State Reports First Measles Case Since 2011

This year’s measles incidents have unfortunately led to three fatalities in the U.S. About 92% of those infected were either unvaccinated or lacked clear vaccination records. Furthermore, 13% of the cases this year necessitated hospitalization, particularly affecting children under five years old.

The CDC emphasizes that the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and effective. They state that if vaccination coverage exceeds 95% within a community, it usually offers protection through herd immunity. However, there has been a concerning drop in vaccination rates; for instance, the percentage of vaccinated kindergarteners fell from 95.2% during the 2019-2020 school year to 92.7% for 2023-2024, putting around 280,000 kindergartners at risk.

The states dealing with this crisis include a variety from Alaska to Wyoming, indicating a widespread problem.

Measles Cases Continue to Rise Pre-Summer Travel

The CDC reminds us that measles was declared eliminated from the U.S. in 2000, meaning the virus can only spread when someone contracts it overseas and returns. The symptoms usually appear within a week or two after exposure and include fever, cough, and a rash.

Complications from measles can be severe, especially for young children. The most common issues include ear infections and diarrhea, while more serious complications can lead to pneumonia and encephalitis.

Measles is extremely contagious, according to the CDC. If an infected person coughs or sneezes, the virus can linger in the air, meaning a person can contract measles just by being in the same room—even after the infected individual has left.