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By Martha McHardy
US News Reporter
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Cases of measles, a highly infectious disease that is particularly dangerous to children, have been reported in 12 U.S. states since the beginning of 2025, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
As of March 8, 245 measles cases have been reported nationwide. According to the CDC, there have already been three outbreaks reported this year. For comparison, there were 16 outbreaks in 2024, with a total of 285 cases.
Why It Matters
Measles is an airborne, "extremely infectious, and potentially severe rash illness," according to the CDC. Up to 9 out of 10 people who are susceptible will get the virus if exposed.
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The U.S. declared measles eliminated in 2000 "thanks to a very high percentage of people receiving the safe and effective measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine," the CDC said. However, U.S. coverage among children of kindergarten age has fallen below the 95 percent coverage target, which creates a higher risk for outbreaks of the virus. As a result, cases of measles are rising across the country.
Before the creation of the MMR vaccine, between 400 and 500 people in the U.S. died from measles each year, and 48,000 people were hospitalized, the CDC said.
Two people in the U.S. have died as a result of the measles outbreak in 2025: an unvaccinated child in Texas and an unvaccinated adult in New Mexico.
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What To Know
This year, Texas has been the state worst affected by measles, with 198 cases, according to the Texas Department of Health and Human Services.
The majority of the cases are concentrated in Gaines County, which has 137 confirmed cases. Terry County follows with 29 cases, while Dawson, Ector, Lubbock, Lynn, Yoakum, Martin and Dallam Counties have fewer than 10 cases each.
Of the 198 cases, 64 involve children aged 0 to 4, while 89 case involve children aged 5 to 17, making it the most affected age group. There are 34 cases in those aged 18 and over, and 11 cases are still pending an age determination, according to the Texas Health and Human Services Department.
Eighty of the cases involve people who are unvaccinated. Only five cases involved people who had received at least one dose of the vaccine, while 113 cases involved people with an unknown vaccination status.
Health officials have said the outbreak is Texas' largest in almost 30 years. Lara Anton, a spokesperson for the Texas Health Department, said the cases were primarily concentrated within a "close-knit, undervaccinated" Mennonite community, especially among families who attended small, private religious schools or homeschooled.
Neighboring New Mexico has also seen a measles outbreak in Lea County, where there are 30 cases overall. Three of those cases involved children aged 0 to 4. Eight people aged 5 to 17 and 15 people 18 and older have also reported cases. Four cases are pending an age determination. Records showed that 26 of the cases involved unvaccinated people.
New Jersey, California and Georgia have seen three cases of measles each. In Georgia, all three cases were found in an unvaccinated family in the Atlanta metropolitan area.
On February 14, New Jersey's Department of Health reported the state's first case, which involved a Bergen County resident who had recently traveled internationally. On February 20, two additional cases were reported in individuals who "had close contact with the index case." It is unclear whether they were vaccinated.
New York City has seen two cases of the illness. There have been no reports of any cases in the wider New York state.
Alaska, Florida, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Washington have each reported one measles case.
Measles primarily affects young children, especially those who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated. However, it can also affect adults who have not been vaccinated or who have not previously contracted the disease.
A Decline in Childhood Vaccinations
The MMR vaccine is the most effective way to prevent measles, ensuring immunity against the disease. Studies have shown that low vaccination rates can lead to widespread community transmission, which CDC data supports.
Most people recover from measles, but complications such as pneumonia, blindness and brain swelling are possible.
Federal health officials have linked some outbreaks of the illness to parents refusing to vaccinate their children. Childhood vaccination rates have declined across the nation since the coronavirus pandemic, with increasing numbers of parents claiming religious or personal conscience exemptions to avoid required vaccinations.
Last month, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has previously criticized vaccines, was confirmed as the secretary of Health and Human Services despite resistance from the medical community and some lawmakers.
Kennedy, who has repeatedly claimed that childhood vaccines cause autism—a theory debunked by scientists—has vowed to protect existing vaccination programs. According to the CDC, many studies have investigated a possible link between vaccines and autism, and these studies continue to show no association between the two.
In a recent Cabinet meeting, Kennedy initially downplayed the news that an unvaccinated child had died from measles in Texas, calling such outbreaks routine and failing to mention the importance of vaccination in preventing the disease.
On March 2, Kennedy published an op-ed in Fox News highlighting the role of vaccines but also emphasizing that vaccination is a personal choice. He encouraged readers to consult their doctors.
Kennedy has also said that, in addition to vaccines, the CDC has sent vitamin A to help manage the outbreak, as it has been shown to ease symptoms in those who are malnourished and deficient in the vitamin.
What Happens Next
The CDC has said doctors and public health officials should be vigilant for patients that show symptoms of measles, such as fever and rash.
Democratic Representatives Frank Pallone of New Jersey, Diana DeGette of Colorado and Yvette Clarke of New York have called for a congressional oversight hearing to look into the rapidly spreading measles outbreak.
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