In 2025, measles cases in the United States have already exceeded last year’s total, with 320 cases reported across 16 states. The majority of cases, 259, have been in Texas, with 35 reported in neighboring New Mexico. Most cases were in unvaccinated individuals. A school-aged child in Texas and an adult in New Mexico died of measles, sparking concerns among public health experts regarding a potential threat to the elimination of measles in the U.S.
Measles was considered eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, but outbreaks have occurred periodically. The country almost lost its elimination status in 2019, when over 1,000 cases were recorded, primarily in Orthodox Jewish communities in New York. Global measles cases have been on the rise as well, with over 127,000 cases reported in European and Central Asian countries, attributed to a decline in immunization coverage during the pandemic.
Measles is highly contagious, with infected individuals able to spread the virus to up to 9 out of 10 people if they are not vaccinated. The virus can linger in the air for up to two hours. Vaccination with two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine is 97% effective. In the U.S., declining vaccination rates have fueled the spread of measles locally. Health officials in Texas and New Mexico are urging unvaccinated residents to get vaccinated, with the CDC recommending an early dose as young as 6 months for infants in outbreak areas. Children under 5 are particularly vulnerable to measles, with potential respiratory and neurological complications.
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