The number of reported measles cases is officially the highest in 2025 since 1992, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.So far this year, there have been a reported 1,288 cases of measles in the United States, according to the tracker as of Wednesday. This is 14 more than the last highest outbreak in 2019.“The U.S. measles cases this year have been alarming because they rose rapidly in the beginning of the year, up to the end of March, we were in triple-digit new cases per week,” said Patsy Stinchfield, the immediate past president of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. “But we're seeing a slowing now, which is good.”Measles, also called rubeola, is an airborne rash illness that can sometimes lead to death. This year, there have been 27 outbreaks reported, according to the CDC. About 13% of cases have been hospitalized, and three have died, including an 8-year-old and a 6-year-old in Texas and an adult in New Mexico. The three individuals were not vaccinated against measles. According to Stinchfield, factors contributing to the outbreaks have created a “perfect storm” in 2025.After the COVID-19 pandemic, immunization rates fell behind, Stinchfield said. Plus, people are traveling internationally more often. Some are also declining vaccinations more, too, according to Stinchfield.Most reported cases are in those who are unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status, the CDC reports, at 92%. The remaining cases include 4% of people with just one dose of the MMR vaccine and 4% with two doses of the vaccine.The MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine is widely recommended by public health experts as a safe and effective way to prevent the spread of measles. It is recommended by the CDC, which also says that when more than 95% of a community has received two doses, most people can be protected through herd immunity.The share of the population vaccinated against measles has declined over several years. Just 12 states had a share of the population fully vaccinated at a rate of 95% or higher during the school year ending in 2024. States with the largest number of measles cases are also states without herd immunity, including Texas and Kansas.“I think parents need to know that measles is the most contagious infection that we know of to humankind. It's so easily spread just by breathing. You don't have to cough on someone,” Stinchfield said. Measles can stay in the air for up to two hours, which is why places like airports, clinics and emergency room lobbies are significant places.Measles cases have been reported in 39 states, with Texas having the largest number of cases at 753 as of Tuesday.CDC data on measles cases is updated every Wednesday. The Hearst Television Data Team will continue tracking updates.PHNjcmlwdCB0eXBlPSJ0ZXh0L2phdmFzY3JpcHQiPiFmdW5jdGlvbigpeyJ1c2Ugc3RyaWN0Ijt3aW5kb3cuYWRkRXZlbnRMaXN0ZW5lcigibWVzc2FnZSIsKGZ1bmN0aW9uKGUpe2lmKHZvaWQgMCE9PWUuZGF0YVsiZGF0YXdyYXBwZXItaGVpZ2h0Il0pe3ZhciB0PWRvY3VtZW50LnF1ZXJ5U2VsZWN0b3JBbGwoImlmcmFtZSIpO2Zvcih2YXIgYSBpbiBlLmRhdGFbImRhdGF3cmFwcGVyLWhlaWdodCJdKWZvcih2YXIgcj0wO3I8dC5sZW5ndGg7cisrKXtpZih0W3JdLmNvbnRlbnRXaW5kb3c9PT1lLnNvdXJjZSl0W3JdLnN0eWxlLmhlaWdodD1lLmRhdGFbImRhdGF3cmFwcGVyLWhlaWdodCJdW2FdKyJweCJ9fX0pKX0oKTs8L3NjcmlwdD4=
WASHINGTON — The number of reported measles cases is officially the highest in 2025 since 1992, according to the latest data from the .
So far this year, there have been a reported 1,288 cases of measles in the United States, according to the tracker as of Wednesday. This is 14 more than the last highest outbreak in 2019.
“The U.S. measles cases this year have been alarming because they rose rapidly in the beginning of the year, up to the end of March, we were in triple-digit new cases per week,” said Patsy Stinchfield, the immediate past president of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. “But we're seeing a slowing now, which is good.”
Measles, also called rubeola, is an airborne rash illness that can sometimes lead to death. This year, there have been 27 outbreaks reported, according to the CDC. About 13% of cases have been hospitalized, and , including an 8-year-old and a 6-year-old in Texas and an adult in New Mexico. The three individuals were not vaccinated against measles.
According to Stinchfield, factors contributing to the outbreaks have created a “perfect storm” in 2025.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, immunization rates fell behind, Stinchfield said. Plus, people are traveling internationally more often. Some are also declining vaccinations more, too, according to Stinchfield.
Most reported cases are in those who are unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status, the CDC reports, at 92%. The remaining cases include 4% of people with just one dose of the MMR vaccine and 4% with two doses of the vaccine.
The MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine is widely recommended by public health experts as a safe and effective way to prevent the spread of measles. It is recommended by the CDC, which also says that when more than 95% of a community has received two doses, most people can be protected through herd immunity.
The share of the population vaccinated against measles has declined over several years. Just 12 states had a share of the population fully vaccinated at a rate of 95% or higher during the school year ending in 2024. States with the largest number of measles cases are also states without herd immunity, including Texas and Kansas.
“I think parents need to know that measles is the most contagious infection that we know of to humankind. It's so easily spread just by breathing. You don't have to cough on someone,” Stinchfield said.
Measles can stay in the air for up to two hours, which is why places like airports, clinics and emergency room lobbies are significant places.
Measles cases have been reported in 39 states, with of cases at 753 as of Tuesday.
CDC data on measles cases is updated every Wednesday. The Hearst Television Data Team will continue tracking updates.
