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4w ago

U.S. Measles Outbreak Reaches Over 430 Cases, Spanning 18 States

The outbreak, centered in Texas and New Mexico, has led to two deaths and highlights the dangers of low vaccination rates and misinformation.

A measles alert sign hangs outside the entrance to the Cohen Children's Medical Center, where the state health department confirmed that a baby tested positive and that there is a possibility of exposure to others at the facility, in New Hyde Park, New York, U.S., March 14, 2025.
Image
The measles virus, paramyxoviridae from the Morbillivirus family, transmission microscopy view. (Photo by: BSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Overview

  • The U.S. has reported over 430 measles cases in 2025, surpassing the total for 2024, with Texas and New Mexico accounting for the majority of infections.
  • Two deaths have been confirmed: an unvaccinated child in Texas and an unvaccinated adult in New Mexico, marking the first U.S. measles fatalities in a decade.
  • Vaccination rates near outbreak epicenters in Texas and New Mexico have increased, but the virus continues to spread into Kansas, Oklahoma, and 15 other states, as well as Washington, D.C.
  • The outbreak has been linked to low vaccination rates, with most cases occurring in unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status.
  • Public health officials emphasize the importance of the MMR vaccine, which is 97% effective with two doses, as the primary measure to prevent further spread and complications.