US Faces Record Measles Cases in Over 30 Years in 2025

The United States is experiencing its highest number of measles cases in more than three decades in 2025. As of mid-year, there have been approximately 1,288 confirmed cases across the country, surpassing the total of 1,274 cases recorded in 2019, the previous peak year. This troubling trend indicates a resurgence of a disease that was largely under control, thanks to widespread vaccination efforts.

The initial outbreaks began five months ago, predominantly in communities with low vaccination rates, such as certain areas in West Texas. Tragically, this year's outbreaks have resulted in three fatalities—two children in Texas and an adult in New Mexico—and hospitalized dozens of individuals. Public health officials suspect that the actual number of cases may be higher than reported due to underreporting or misclassification.

Additionally, North America is dealing with several significant outbreaks, including nearly 3,000 cases in Chihuahua, Mexico; over 2,200 in Ontario, Canada; and more than 1,200 in Alberta, Canada. Within the US, outbreaks have been confirmed in multiple states, including Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Utah. Some outbreaks have been linked to close-knit communities like Mennonites and Orthodox Jewish groups, where vaccination rates tend to be lower due to cultural and religious reasons.

The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine remains highly effective, with two doses providing about 97% protection. Despite this, vaccination rates have declined in recent years, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused disruptions in routine immunizations. In the 2023-2024 school year, only 92.7% of kindergarteners were up-to-date with MMR vaccines, falling short of the 95% threshold needed to prevent outbreaks. In some areas, such as Gaines County, Texas, the rate drops further to 82%.

Health experts emphasize that the resurgence of measles is a warning sign of broader issues related to vaccine hesitancy and public health funding. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified 22 outbreaks in 2019, with notable clusters in New York. Similar patterns are observed this year, influenced by lower vaccination uptake in certain communities. Experts warn that if non-stop spread continues for a full year, the US could lose its status as a country that has eliminated endemic measles.

Efforts to curb the outbreak include increasing outreach and vaccination campaigns, but challenges remain due to misinformation and stagnant funding for public health programs. Industry leaders and health officials stress the importance of restoring high vaccination rates to prevent further outbreaks.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-worst-year-measles-decades.html