US Measles Cases Surge to Highest Level in 25 Years

Measles cases in the United States have reached their highest level in 25 years, with more than 1,270 confirmed cases this year. This surpasses the previous record of 1,274 cases in 2019, according to new data from Johns Hopkins University.

Experts believe the actual number of cases could be higher as many cases go unreported. Three people in the U.S. have died from measles this year: Two children in Texas and one adult in New Mexico, all unvaccinated, as reported by CNN.

Dr. Bruce A. Scott, president of the American Medical Association, stated that with declining child vaccination rates and an ongoing measles outbreak, the spread of vaccine-preventable illnesses will increase.

Measles, one of the most contagious diseases globally, was eliminated in the U.S. in 2000 due to the widespread use of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. However, new cases have emerged alongside a significant drop in vaccination rates.

The largest outbreak, with over 750 cases, started in West Texas in January. Gaines County, where the outbreak originated, has low childhood vaccination rates, with nearly 1 in 4 kindergartners not receiving the required MMR shot during the 2024–25 school year.

The outbreak has spread to neighboring areas in New Mexico and Oklahoma, possibly linked to cases in Kansas. At least 38 states have reported measles cases this year, with 27 separate outbreaks, according to CNN.

Air travel has facilitated the spread of the disease. An out-of-state visitor with measles flew while contagious in Colorado, resulting in new cases, including individuals who were at the airport simultaneously.

Experts are concerned that if cases related to the Texas outbreak persist into 2026, the U.S. may lose its measles-elimination status. Measles spreads easily through respiratory droplets or touching contaminated surfaces.

About 1 in 8 individuals with measles this year have been hospitalized, with nearly 30% of cases in children under 5, most of whom were unvaccinated. The MMR vaccine is highly effective, with one dose being 93% effective and two doses 97% effective.

In response to the outbreak, some states have expanded vaccine access, allowing infants to receive their first MMR shot at 6 months instead of waiting until 1 year. MMR vaccination rates in New Mexico and Texas have significantly increased compared to last year.

Despite these efforts, national vaccination rates remain below the target. Public health leaders attribute this to growing vaccine distrust and changes in federal health leadership.

The CDC, responsible for the nation's vaccine policy, currently lacks a director, and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has a history of sharing anti-vaccine information.

While Kennedy has recently expressed support for vaccines, his previous statements and actions have raised concerns. The situation is exacerbated by the appointment of vaccine skeptics to key positions in U.S. vaccination policy.

For more information on measles, visit the World Health Organization website.

According to the source: Medical Xpress.