Measles Making a Comeback? US Hits Alarming Record High!

Measles Cases Surge to Record High Since Disease Was Declared Eliminated in the US

A concerning trend is emerging across the United States as measles cases have surged to levels not seen since the disease was declared eliminated a quarter-century ago. This resurgence is primarily attributed to falling childhood vaccine coverage and a significant outbreak originating in an undervaccinated area of West Texas. The implications for public health are substantial, demanding immediate attention and coordinated action.

According to data from the Johns Hopkins University Center for Outbreak Response Innovation, there have been at least 1,277 confirmed cases of measles reported in the US in 2025. This number surpasses the previous record of 1,274 cases in 2019, and it's only halfway through the year. Experts believe the actual number of cases is likely much higher due to underreporting.

This year has also seen a tragic increase in measles-related fatalities. Three people have died from measles this year – two children in Texas and one adult in New Mexico. All three were unvaccinated, highlighting the critical importance of vaccination. This matches the total number of US measles deaths from the previous two and a half decades, underscoring the severity of the current situation.

Measles was declared eliminated in the US in 2000, a milestone signifying the interruption of continuous transmission for more than a year. This achievement was largely attributed to widespread vaccine development and implementation. The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, widely available since the 1970s, played a pivotal role.

Prior to this year's surge, the US had averaged approximately 180 measles cases annually since elimination, according to CDC data. The current numbers represent a significant and alarming deviation from this norm.

The current crisis is multifaceted, but several key factors stand out:

• Texas Outbreak: The vast majority of cases this year originate from Texas, with over 750 confirmed cases linked to an outbreak that began in late January.
• Low Vaccination Rates: Gaines County, Texas, has been particularly affected, with nearly 1 in 4 kindergartners lacking the required MMR vaccine in the 2024-25 school year.
• Spread to Other States: Dozens of cases in New Mexico and Oklahoma, and potentially cases in Kansas, are linked to the West Texas outbreak.
• Travel-Related Cases: Outbreaks in Colorado were traced back to an infectious traveler and travel to Chihuahua, Mexico.

Efforts are underway to combat the outbreak and improve vaccination rates:

• Special Vaccination Clinics: These clinics have increased vaccine coverage for thousands.
• Expanded Vaccination Guidance: Some counties now allow infants as young as 6 months to receive their first MMR shot.
• Increased MMR Vaccinations: New Mexico has administered nearly twice as many MMR vaccines this year compared to last year.
• Early Vaccination Rate Jump: MMR vaccination rates among 6-month-olds in Texas are more than eight times higher than in 2019.

However, challenges remain. Cases are continuing to accumulate across the country, with at least 27 outbreaks (defined as three or more related cases) and at least 38 states reporting at least one case this year.

Internationally, the situation is equally concerning. Measles outbreaks in Canada and Mexico have also resulted in fatalities. Mexico has even issued a warning for people traveling to the US and Canada due to high measles case rates.

The MMR vaccine is safe and highly effective, with one dose being 93% effective against measles and two doses being 97% effective. The CDC recommends that children receive their first dose at 12 months, although early vaccination is often advised in outbreak areas.

Alarmingly, the US has fallen short of the HHS goal of 95% of kindergartners receiving two doses of the MMR vaccine for four consecutive years. A record number of US kindergartners had exemptions for required vaccinations in the 2023-24 school year, leaving over 125,000 new schoolchildren unprotected.

The current situation underscores the critical need for a renewed focus on vaccination efforts. Public health officials, healthcare providers, and community leaders must work together to combat misinformation, promote vaccine confidence, and ensure that all children have access to life-saving immunizations. The health and well-being of our communities depend on it.

Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/05/health/measles-cases-us-record-since-elimination