US measles cases. UU. They reach the highest level in more than 30 years, according to CDC data
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The current number of measles cases in the US is at its highest level in more than 30 years, according to new data published Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC said that 1,288 confirmed cases have registered until Tuesday over 38 states. Texas leads the nation with more than 700 cases.
Last year, the CDCs reported only 285 measles cases. In 2019, 1,274 were recorded, but the total of this year so far is the maximum since 1992, when there were 2,126 cases.
“27 outbreaks have been reported in 2025, and 88% of confirmed cases (1,130 of 1,288) are associated with outbreaks,” according to CDC. “For comparison, 16 outbreaks were reported during 2024 and 69% of cases (198, 285) were associated with outbreaks.”
Midwestern State reports the first measles case since 2011
A paramedic manages a dose of the measles vaccine in a health center in Lubbock, Texas, on February 27, 2025. (Ronaldo Schemidt/News through Getty Images)
Measles cases this year have led three deaths in the US., And 92% of those who have contracted the virus are not vaccinated or have an unknown state of vaccination.
Of this year’s cases, 13% have required hospitalization. Those children under five are the most likely to require additional medical care, the CDC said.
“The measles vaccine, papers and rubella (MMR) is very safe and effective. When more than 95% of people in a community are vaccinated (coverage> 95%), most people are protected through community immunity (flock immunity),” he added. “However, vaccination coverage among US Kindergartgartens has decreased from 95.2% during the 2019-2020 to 92.7% school year in the 2023-2024 school year, leaving approximately 280,000 Kindergarten at risk during the 2023-2024 school year.”
The States With Cases Are Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisian Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming.
Measles cases continue to rise before summer trips
The Jacobs River, which is 1 years old, is in the hands of its mother, Caitlin Fuller, while receiving a MMR vaccine from Raynard Covarrubio in a vaccine clinic made by the Lubbock Public Health Department on March 1, 2025, in Lubbock, Texas. (Jan Sonnenmair/Getty images)
The CDC also said that “measles was officially eliminated from the United States in 2000, which means that there are no sarampos that extend within the country and that only new cases are found when someone hires measles abroad and returns to the country.”
Health officials said that measles symptoms begin to appear 7 to 14 days after contracting the virus and include a high fever, cough and eruptions.
“Measles can cause serious health complications, especially in children under 5 years,” said the CDC. “Common complications are ear infections and diarrhea. Serious complications include pneumonia and encephalitis.”
A measles alert sign hangs out of the entrance to the Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New Hyde Park, New York, on March 14, 2025. (Reuters/Shannon Stapleton)
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“Measles is very contagious,” warns the CDC. “It extends through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. He can get measles just being in a room where a person with measles has been. This can happen even up to 2 hours after that person is gone.”
Greg Norman is a News Digital reporter.