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23h ago

U.S. Measles Cases Surpass 1,000 in 2025, Driven by West Texas Outbreak

The United States faces its second-worst year for measles since elimination in 2000, with over 800 cases linked to a multistate outbreak and vaccination rates below the herd immunity threshold.

A measles, mumps and rubella vaccine is prepared at the Andrews County Health Department in Andrews, Texas, on April 8.
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Overview

  • The United States has reported 1,002 measles cases in 2025, making it the second-worst year since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000.
  • More than 800 cases are tied to a large outbreak centered in West Texas, which has spread to New Mexico, Oklahoma, and potentially Kansas.
  • Globally, measles cases continue to rise, with significant surges in Yemen, India, Europe, and neighboring countries like Canada and Mexico.
  • Vaccination rates in the U.S. remain below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity, with only 93% of the population vaccinated.
  • Health officials emphasize the urgent need for widespread immunization campaigns to curb the spread of one of the most contagious diseases, which infects 90% of unvaccinated individuals exposed to it.