Particle.news
Download on the App Store
20 ARTICLES
·
6h ago

US Measles Outbreak Reaches 1,000 Cases, Deadliest in Decades

The outbreak, centered in Texas, has led to three deaths and highlights the consequences of declining vaccination rates.

RFK Jr. speaks at the 2025 Rx and Illicit Drug Summit at Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville , Tenn., Thursday, April 24, 2025.
Anna Hicks places the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine in a refrigerator at the Andrews County Health Department's measles clinic, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Andrews, Texas.
Image
FILE -A sign is seen outside of Seminole Hospital District offering measles testing, Feb. 21, 2025, in Seminole, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez), File)

Overview

  • The United States has recorded over 1,000 measles cases in 2025, the highest since 2019, with 709 cases reported in Texas alone.
  • Three fatalities have been confirmed, including two unvaccinated children in Texas and an adult in New Mexico, marking the deadliest measles outbreak in decades.
  • Approximately 96% of infections involve unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status, underscoring the risk posed by declining immunization rates.
  • The outbreak has expanded to 30 states and parts of Canada, with 14 outbreaks officially identified by the CDC, most linked to Texas as the epicenter.
  • Health officials warn that additional cases are likely as the highly contagious virus spreads, with vaccination campaigns facing challenges from misinformation and resource constraints.