U.S. Measles Outbreak Reaches 483 Cases Across 20 States

The outbreak, concentrated in Texas and New Mexico, has caused two deaths and highlights challenges from declining vaccination rates and misinformation.

Texas and New Mexico account for the majority of the 483 confirmed cases in 2025, with 400 and 44 cases reported, respectively.
The outbreak has caused two fatalities, including the first U.S. measles death in a decade, and a 14% hospitalization rate, primarily impacting young children.
Cases have spread to neighboring states like Kansas and Oklahoma, raising concerns about further transmission, including potential cross-border spread to Mexico.
Declining vaccination rates, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and misinformation, have left communities vulnerable to this highly contagious disease.
Public health officials emphasize vaccination as the most effective prevention, but resource constraints and vaccine hesitancy complicate containment efforts.