Los Angeles: The United States has reported 1,024 measles cases in 2025 so far, marking a significant increase compared to previous years, according to the CDC. This year has seen 14 outbreaks, with an outbreak defined as three or more related cases.
Confirmed cases have been documented across 31 US states, resulting in 128 hospitalizations and three fatalities. About 96% of these cases involve individuals who were either not vaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown.
This total is notably higher than the 285 cases recorded in all of 2024 and is the highest since 2019, when 1,274 cases were reported. The CDC emphasizes that vaccination remains the most effective method of preventing measles, with two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine providing strong immunity.
The World Health Organization describes measles as highly contagious, spreading through respiratory droplets and contact. It can cause serious complications and even death. While it can infect anyone, children are most commonly affected.
The infection begins in the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body, causing symptoms like high fever, cough, runny nose, and a widespread rash. Unvaccinated individuals, especially young children and pregnant women, are at the highest risk for severe complications.
Vaccination is the best defense against measles, and the vaccine is both safe and effective in preventing infection and transmission. Before the measles vaccine was introduced in 1963, outbreaks occurred roughly every two to three years, leading to an estimated 2.6 million deaths annually.
Despite the availability of vaccines, in 2023, an estimated 107,500 people died from measles, mostly children under five. That year, 74% of children received both doses of the vaccine, while about 83% had received at least one dose by their first birthday. Two doses are recommended to ensure immunity and prevent outbreaks, as not all children develop immunity after just one dose.
