Overview

• The United States has confirmed 800 measles cases in 2025, nearly triple the total reported in 2024, according to the CDC.
• Texas accounts for 597 cases, with Gaines County as the epicenter; two unvaccinated school-aged children have died, marking the first U.S. measles deaths in a decade.
• Louisiana, Virginia, and Missouri reported their first cases over the weekend, all linked to international travel, bringing the total number of affected states to 25.
• Ninety-six percent of cases involve unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status, underscoring critical gaps in herd immunity.
• Public health officials warn that the outbreak threatens the U.S.'s measles elimination status, emphasizing the urgent need for increased vaccination efforts.