Measles Cases In US Approaches 25-Year High As CDC Confirms 27 Outbreaks
The number of confirmed measles infections in America has reached a record high since the US declared the disease “under control” decades ago, marking yet another somber milestone.
The measles
Measles outbreak map from the CDC as of Sunday, July 6.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) most recent report, 1,267 confirmed measles cases have been reported to the agency in 38 states and territories, which is more than three times the amount reported in 2024.
According to health officials, 88 percent of cases (1,115 of 1,267) have been related to outbreaks, with at least 27 outbreaks—defined as three or more connected cases—reported so far this year.
In contrast, only 69 percent of the 285 cases and 16 outbreaks that occurred in 2024 were related to outbreaks.
In 2019, there were 1,274 confirmed infections, the last time more than 1,000 cases were reported.
CNN claims that unreported instances could possibly contribute to an undercount of cases.
Prior to this year, the CDC estimates that since measles was proclaimed eradicated, an average of 180 cases were reported year.
The confirmed measles cases by age group are broken down as follows:
- Children under 5 years old: 360 cases (28 percent);
- Children and teens 5 19 years old: 464 cases (37 percent);
- Adults 20 years and older: 431 cases (34 percent);
- Unknown ages: 12 cases (1 percent).
According to officials, 92% of cases that were reported were either unvaccinated or had an unclear vaccination status.
Of those who had received the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, just 2% had received one dosage, and 2% had received two doses.
Three measles-related deaths in 2025 have been confirmed by the CDC.
The following states and jurisdictions have reported cases:
- Alaska;
- Arkansas;
- Arizona;
- California;
- Colorado;
- Florida;
- Georgia;
- Hawaii;
- Illinois;
- Indiana;
- Kansas;
- Kentucky;
- Louisiana;
- Maryland;
- Michigan;
- Minnesota;
- Missouri;
- Montana;
- New Jersey;
- New Mexico;
- New York City;
- New York State;
- North Carolina;
- North Dakota;
- Ohio;
- Oklahoma;
- Oregon;
- Pennsylvania;
- Rhode Island;
- South Dakota;
- Tennessee;
- Texas;
- Utah;
- Vermont;
- Virginia;
- Washington.
Measles is easily spread by sneezing and coughing.
According to health officials, symptoms typically begin with a fever, runny nose, red eyes, and cough, and then progress to a rash that starts on the face and moves to other parts of the body.
Four days before and up to four days after the rash emerges, a person can still spread the infection.
Although measles was once thought to be eradicated in the United States, health experts caution that dwindling vaccination rates may result in new outbreaks and avoidable fatalities.
The full CDC report for this week is available here.
