Particle.news
Download on the App Store
42 ARTICLES
·
4w ago

U.S. Measles Outbreak Expands to 18 States, Surpasses 2024 Case Total

The outbreak, originating in a low-vaccination Mennonite community in Texas, has led to two deaths and highlights challenges with vaccine hesitancy and public health communication.

Image
One year-old River Jacobs is held by his mother, Caitlin Fuller, while he receives an MMR vaccine at a vaccine clinic on March 1, 2025 in Lubbock, Texas.
Image

Overview

  • As of March 25, 2025, 378 measles cases have been confirmed across 18 states, with Texas reporting 327 cases and New Mexico 43 cases.
  • Two measles-related deaths have been reported: a school-aged child in Texas and an adult in New Mexico.
  • The outbreak began in late January in Gaines County, Texas, within a low-vaccination Mennonite community, and has since spread to areas including Kansas, Oklahoma, and Washington, D.C.
  • Public health officials report that 95% of cases involve unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status, emphasizing the importance of the MMR vaccine.
  • Vaccination rates have increased in affected areas, with over 173,000 MMR doses administered in Texas and 13,100 in New Mexico since February.