US Measles Cases Top 1,000 as Texas Outbreak Shows Signs of Slowing

The United States has surpassed 1,000 confirmed measles cases in 2025, marking the second-highest annual count since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000, with the outbreak centered in West Texas showing early signs of deceleration as vaccination campaigns intensify across affected communities.

According to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data released Friday, 1,001 cases have been confirmed across 31 states, with Texas accounting for 709 infections—approximately two-thirds of the nationwide total—in what health officials describe as the most significant measles resurgence in years.

Outbreak Starting to Plateau in Texas

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) reported that while the state’s case count has risen to 709, this represents an increase of just seven cases since their May 6 update. “Less than one percent, or fewer than 10 of the confirmed cases, are estimated to be actively infectious,” according to the Texas DSHS latest update on May 9.

This modest increase contrasts sharply with earlier phases of the outbreak when cases surged by 20% over a three-day period in late March, as reported by Reuters. The slowing growth rate suggests containment efforts may be gaining traction after months of aggressive spread primarily through unvaccinated communities.

Dr. Umair Shah, Commissioner of Texas DSHS, credited intensive vaccination campaigns and community outreach efforts for the apparent deceleration. “We’ve administered more than 25,000 MMR vaccines in the most affected counties since February, which is starting to build the community immunity needed to slow transmission,” Shah stated at a press briefing Thursday.

Severe Outcomes Highlight Vaccination Importance

The outbreak has resulted in 92 hospitalizations in Texas alone, underscoring the potentially serious nature of measles infections. Even more tragically, two unvaccinated school-aged children in Texas have died from complications of measles, the first such fatalities in the United States in a decade.

“Neither of the children had underlying health conditions,” emphasized Texas health officials, reinforcing that measles can cause severe outcomes even in otherwise healthy individuals. A third death—an adult in New Mexico—has also been potentially linked to the outbreak, though final confirmation is pending.

According to the CDC, approximately 1 in 5 unvaccinated people who contract measles will require hospitalization, and about 1 in 1,000 infected children will develop encephalitis (brain swelling) that can lead to permanent damage. Up to 3 in 1,000 children with measles will die from respiratory or neurological complications.

Substantial Spread Beyond Texas

While Texas remains the epicenter, the outbreak has triggered significant spread to neighboring states and beyond. According to WHO reporting, from January 1 to April 17, 2025, a total of 800 confirmed measles cases were reported by 25 U.S. jurisdictions, with the multistate outbreak in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma accounting for 82% of all reported cases nationwide, as detailed in the WHO’s regional update.

New Mexico has been particularly affected, reporting over 35 cases linked to the Texas outbreak. Dr. Bill Moss, professor of Epidemiology and executive director of the International Vaccine Access Center at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, explained that “these larger measles outbreaks tend to occur in close-knit communities with very low vaccination rates,” according to Johns Hopkins’ public health analysis.

The outbreak has even sparked international concern, with the WHO reporting cases linked to the Texas outbreak appearing in Mexico, highlighting the cross-border nature of highly contagious diseases. Mexico has confirmed 421 measles cases between January and mid-April 2025.

Declining Vaccination Rates Fuel Outbreaks

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

“When more than 95% of people in a community are vaccinated, most people are protected through community immunity (herd immunity),” the CDC states. With current rates below this critical threshold in many communities, the conditions for outbreaks have become increasingly favorable.

Analysis of the current cases reveals that the vast majority—approximately 96%—are among individuals who were either unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status. Only about 2% of cases have occurred in individuals who received both recommended doses of the MMR vaccine.

Historical Context and Future Concerns

While the current case count of 1,001 is alarming, it remains far below historical levels before widespread vaccination. The highest number of confirmed cases in recent years was 1,274 in 2019, driven by major outbreaks in New York, California, and Washington state.

However, with more than 1,000 cases by early May, 2025 is on pace to potentially exceed that recent high mark. Looking further back, the current numbers pale in comparison to the pre-vaccine era when measles infected millions annually in the United States, with approximately 450,000 cases reported in 1964 alone.

“What we’re seeing is concerning not because the absolute numbers are unprecedented, but because it represents a departure from the tremendous progress we’ve made in controlling measles over the past several decades,” explained Dr. Manisha Patel, measles expert at the CDC. “Each case represents a preventable illness, and the reemergence of fatal cases is particularly troubling.”

Response and Mitigation Efforts

In response to the outbreak, health departments across affected states have expanded vaccination clinics and implemented targeted outreach. The CDC has deployed teams to assist with contact tracing and containment in the most severely impacted communities.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has historically been critical of vaccination programs, has voiced support for measles vaccination as the outbreak has worsened. “We encourage people to get the measles vaccine,” Kennedy told CBS News, though he maintained his opposition to vaccine mandates.

CDC officials emphasize that the MMR vaccine is highly effective, with two doses providing 97% protection against measles. They continue to urge vaccination, particularly for children and individuals traveling to affected areas or internationally, as the best defense against this highly contagious disease.