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Measles cases in the US reach 33-year high

July 7, 2025

The United States is experiencing its worst measles outbreak in 33 years with nearly 1,300 confirmed cases across 38 states and Washington D.C. as of Friday, according to Johns Hopkins University data. The CDC reports that 92% of these cases occurred in unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status, with Texas being the hardest hit state at over 700 cases. Three deaths and 155 hospitalizations have resulted from this outbreak, which is primarily spreading in communities with lower vaccination rates, such as Mennonite communities that opt out of modern medicine.

Who is affected

  • Unvaccinated individuals and those with unknown vaccination status (92% of cases)
  • Communities with lower vaccination rates, particularly Mennonite communities in Texas
  • Residents of 38 states and the District of Columbia, especially those in Texas, Kansas, and New Mexico
  • The three people who died and 155 individuals who were hospitalized due to measles

What action is being taken

  • More people are getting the measles vaccine in response to the outbreak (Texas administered 173,000 measles doses between January and March 16, compared to 158,000 in the same period last year)
  • Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has endorsed the MMR vaccine as "the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles" after previously spreading misinformation
  • Public health officials are monitoring the spread and reporting case numbers

Why it matters

  • The current outbreak marks the highest number of measles cases in 33 years, surpassing the 2019 count of 1,274 infections
  • Measles was previously declared eliminated in the US around 2000 when cases dropped below 90
  • The US could lose its measles elimination status if the spread continues at the current rate for more than 12 months
  • Measles is highly contagious and can lead to serious complications including pneumonia, brain swelling, and death
  • The outbreak reflects growing anti-vaccine sentiment in recent years

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC