U.S. faces surge in measles cases

• Measles cases in the U.S. have surpassed 600 in 2025, already exceeding the 285 total cases reported in 2024
• A major outbreak centered in West Texas has spread to neighboring states including New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Kansas
• Three deaths have been reported: two unvaccinated children in Texas and one suspected case in an unvaccinated adult in New Mexico
• 97% of cases are among unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status
• The current outbreak threatens the U.S. measles elimination status, which was achieved in 2000

Viewpoint 1: Vaccination is Essential to Control the Outbreak and Prevent Further Spread

TL;DR: The measles outbreak is primarily affecting unvaccinated populations and demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to prevent the resurgence of previously controlled diseases.

Snippets from around the web

"The measles, mumps and rubella vaccine has been used safely for more than 60 years and is 97 percent effective against measles after two doses. Experts and local health officials expect the outbreak to go on for several more months if not a year. In West Texas, the vast majority of cases are in unvaccinated people and children younger than 17." - PBS NewsHour, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/second-child-dies-from-measles-related-causes-in-west-texas-where-cases-approach-500

"The point of vaccines is to create immunity without the risks of severe infection. It is basically a dress rehearsal for the real thing. The immunity from a vaccine is effectively the same immunity you get from having measles itself – but vastly safer than encountering the wild virus unprotected. One dose is 93 percent effective at preventing measles and two doses are 97 percent effective, and any breakthrough cases are likely to be much milder than a full-blown case of measles." - PBS NewsHour, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/do-adults-need-a-measles-booster-an-epidemiologist-explains-who-is-immune

"No vaccine is 100% effective against measles, but two MMR shots are 97% effective. (Two shots are 88% effective against mumps, and a single shot is 97% effective against rubella.) Most people who are vaccinated will never get the measles; although a small percentage have 'breakthrough' cases, the symptoms are usually mild. The MMR vaccine is also safe, according to the CDC, which notes that most people have no side effects." - Yale Medicine, https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/should-you-get-a-measles-vaccine-booster

"Measures to curtail the spread of measles include offering vaccination to non-immune individuals and post-exposure prophylaxis (vaccine or immunoglobulin) to susceptible contacts. Consideration should be given to the availability of immunoglobulin and vaccine and on the need for procurement." - PubMed Central, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6207419/

"The best way to protect against measles is to get the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Children may get the measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine instead, which protects against chickenpox too. Most people who are vaccinated with MMR & MMRV will be protected for life. Vaccines and high rates of vaccination have made these diseases much less common in the United States." - CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/measles/vaccines/index.html

Viewpoint 2: The Current Outbreak Reflects Declining Vaccination Rates and Requires Urgent Public Health Action

TL;DR: Falling vaccination rates have created pockets of vulnerability to measles outbreaks, highlighting the need for comprehensive public health responses including education, community engagement, and improved vaccine access.

Snippets from around the web

"Measles was officially eliminated from the United States in 2000, meaning there is no measles spreading within the country and new cases are only found when someone contracts measles abroad and returns to the country. Achieving measles elimination status in the United States was a historic public health achievement. The MMR vaccine coverage among U.S. kindergartners has decreased from 95.2% during the 2019–2020 school year to 92.7% in the 2023–2024 school year, leaving approximately 280,000 kindergartners at risk during the 2023–2024 school year." - CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html

"A measles outbreak is like a forest fire throwing out sparks. If a spark lands in a state such as Maryland, which has a 97% measles vaccination rate, it will just fizzle out. But 'if the sparks from this initial fire land in communities where vaccination rates are low, then we're going to have multiple large outbreaks'." - Nature, https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-00786-w

"In light of the ongoing outbreaks, I call upon US Department Health and Services to act promptly and decisively. The department must initiate a comprehensive, science-driven vaccination campaign to curb the spread of measles and avert future tragedies. This initiative should focus on four key components: education, community involvement, accessibility, and sound public policy." - CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/05/health/hawaii-governor-measles-call-to-action/index.html

"The United States officially declared the elimination of measles in 2000, following years of access to a safe and effective vaccine. However, since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and a rise in vaccine hesitancy, the incidence of measles outbreaks has escalated. To ensure community immunity, vaccination rates need to be at least 95%, yet numerous areas experiencing outbreaks have rates significantly lower than this threshold." - BBC, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crmjpdldnpwo

"The Department urges all New Jersey residents planning to travel, regardless of destination, to ensure they are current on all routine and travel vaccinations, especially MMR vaccinations. If you are traveling internationally with an infant 6-11 months of age, ask their pediatrician about MMR prior to travel. The NJDOH is also requesting that healthcare providers use every opportunity to assess for immunizations to ensure all patients are current on routine immunizations." - New Jersey Department of Health, https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/measles.shtml

Viewpoint 3: The Response to the Outbreak Has Been Complicated by Misinformation and Leadership Concerns

TL;DR: Misinformation about vaccines and mixed messaging from health leadership have complicated the public health response to the measles outbreak, potentially prolonging the crisis and endangering more people.

Snippets from around the web

"Even as health officials try to stop the outbreak, the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has a long history of anti-vaccination activism, has offered only tepid support for the measles vaccine, a safe and potent way to prevent infection. Kennedy has also promoted treatments including cod liver oil, steroids and antibiotics, none of which are known to be effective against measles." - Nature, https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-00786-w

"Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime anti-vaccine activist, has delivered a tepid message on the importance of vaccination against measles, saying it should be encouraged while also sowing doubt in the vaccine's safety. He is expected to launch a Make America Healthy Again tour across the southwestern U.S. early this week." - PBS NewsHour, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/second-child-dies-from-measles-related-causes-in-west-texas-where-cases-approach-500

"Some have claimed without evidence that the current outbreak in Texas was caused by the measles vaccine. As part of the outbreak investigation, however, CDC and the Texas Department of State Health Services analyzed the genome of the virus causing the current outbreak and identified it as a wild measles virus. Researchers classified the outbreak virus as wild type genotype D8, and not the weakened measles vaccine strain, which is genotype A." - PBS NewsHour, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/do-adults-need-a-measles-booster-an-epidemiologist-explains-who-is-immune

"Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his skepticism about vaccines, has provided inconsistent messages regarding the outbreak, at times suggesting discussions with healthcare providers about vaccinations while also advocating alternative treatments not endorsed by health authorities. The federal government has yet to issue any specific recommendations on whether certain adults should consult their doctors about receiving another dose, or if parents in outbreak zones should consider vaccinating their young children sooner." - BBC, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crmjpdldnpwo

"Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma has downplayed concerns regarding RFK Jr.'s management of the escalating measles outbreak while still urging individuals to get vaccinated. First and foremost, education is critical. We must vigorously counter misinformation by delivering clear, factual, and scientifically supported information." - CNN, https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/05/health/hawaii-governor-measles-call-to-action/index.html