US Measles Cases Surpass 1,000 as Texas Outbreak Dominates

The United States has recorded over 1,000 confirmed measles cases in 2025, marking the second-highest annual total since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000, with Texas accounting for approximately two-thirds of all infections in an outbreak that has already claimed two children’s lives.

According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cases have now been confirmed in 31 states, with health officials increasingly concerned about declining vaccination rates that have left communities vulnerable to this highly contagious disease.

Widespread Outbreak Centered in Texas

As of May 8, the CDC reports 1,001 confirmed measles cases nationwide, with 14 distinct outbreaks (defined as three or more related cases) accounting for 93% of all infections, according to their disease surveillance data.

The epicenter of the national outbreak remains in West Texas, where the Texas Department of State Health Services has confirmed 709 cases since late January, an increase of 7 cases since their May 6 update. “Ninety-two of the patients have been hospitalized,” reports the Texas DSHS, noting that “two fatalities in school-aged children who lived in the outbreak area” have occurred.

Texas health officials have confirmed both children who died were unvaccinated and had no known underlying health conditions, highlighting the potential severity of measles infections even in otherwise healthy individuals. The state has also indicated that less than one percent of the confirmed cases remain actively infectious.

Declining Vaccination Rates Increase Vulnerability

Public health experts point to falling vaccination coverage as the primary factor behind the growing number of outbreaks. According to CDC data reported by CBS News, measles vaccination rates among kindergarteners have dropped from 95.2% during the 2019-2020 school year to just 92.7% in the 2023-2024 school year.

“When more than 95% of people in a community are vaccinated, most people are protected through community immunity (herd immunity),” the CDC states in its guidance. This 95% threshold is considered critical for preventing widespread transmission within communities.

Dr. William Schaffner, professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, explained in an interview with NBC News: “We’re seeing the consequences of vaccine hesitancy and misinformation. Measles finds and infects unvaccinated people with remarkable efficiency.”

Global Context and International Spread

The U.S. outbreak occurs amid a significant global resurgence of measles. The World Health Organization reported on March 11 that from January 1 to March 20, 2025, 378 cases had been confirmed across 17 states, including the two deaths in the United States—the first measles-related fatalities in a decade, according to their Disease Outbreak News.

The WHO has also noted cases linked to the Texas outbreak have been reported in Mexico, demonstrating the cross-border nature of highly contagious diseases. “From 1 January and 16 April 2025, Mexico confirmed 421 measles cases: two imported, 35 import-related, and 384 under investigation,” reported the WHO in their Americas Region update.

Cases throughout the Americas have increased dramatically, with the WHO confirming “a total of 2318 measles cases, including three deaths… an 11-fold increase compared to the same period in 2024.”

Clinical Impact and Prevention Efforts

Measles is not just a childhood rash but can cause severe complications. According to the CDC, about 1 in 5 unvaccinated people who contract measles will require hospitalization. Approximately 1 out of every 1,000 children infected will develop brain swelling that can lead to brain damage, and up to 3 per 1,000 infected children will die from complications.

The disease is particularly concerning because of its extreme contagiousness. “Measles virus can remain infectious in the air and on surfaces for up to 2 hours after an infected person leaves an area,” warns the CDC in its Health Alert Network advisory.

In response to the outbreak, state health departments in affected areas have expanded vaccination clinics and issued special recommendations. The New Mexico Department of Health, which borders the Texas outbreak region, has established daily walk-in MMR vaccination sites and created an outbreak guidance page with resources for healthcare providers, schools, and the public.

Historical Context and Future Concerns

While the current case count is alarming, it remains far below historical levels before widespread vaccination. NBC News reports that prior to the measles vaccine introduction in 1963, measles infected millions annually in the United States, with approximately 450,000 cases reported in 1964 alone.

The highest number of confirmed cases in recent years was 1,274 in 2019, which featured major outbreaks in New York, California, and Washington state. With 1,001 cases already confirmed by early May, 2025 is on track to potentially surpass that record.

CDC modeling specialists are working to predict potential outbreak trajectories and help health departments identify communities at highest risk. “These models can be used to help health departments better identify communities at highest risk and manage healthcare resources,” notes the agency on its measles tracking page.

Health officials continue to emphasize that the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the most effective prevention tool, with two doses providing 97% protection against the disease.