U.S. Measles Cases Exceed 1,000 in 2025, Highest Since 2019, CDC Reports

The U.S. has reported 1,001 measles cases in 2025, the highest since 2019, according to the CDC. The outbreak spans 30 states and New York City, with 13% of patients hospitalized. Most cases involve unvaccinated individuals, with children and teens under 20 accounting for 67% of cases. Texas is the epicenter with 709 cases and two child deaths. New Mexico reported 71 cases and one adult death. The CDC notes 96% of cases are among unvaccinated or unknown vaccination status individuals. The outbreak is attributed to declining vaccination rates and increased travel.

Measles Resurgence Reaches 1,001 Cases Nationwide

The CDC confirmed that 1,001 measles cases have been reported in 2025, a dramatic increase from the 285 cases recorded in 2024 and the 59 cases in 2023. This marks the first time since 2019—when 1,274 cases were reported—that the U.S. has surpassed the 1,000-case threshold in a single year. The current outbreak has already reached this milestone within the first five months of the year, raising concerns among public health officials.

The outbreak spans 31 jurisdictions, including 30 states and New York City. States reporting cases include Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York State, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.

Age and Hospitalization Data

Children and adolescents have been disproportionately affected by the outbreak. According to CDC data, 30% of cases (299) occurred in children under the age of five, while 38% (376) were among individuals aged 5 to 19. Adults aged 20 and older accounted for 31% (311) of cases, and 1% (15) were of unknown age.

Hospitalization rates have also been significant. Of the 1,001 confirmed cases, 126 patients (13%) have been hospitalized. The highest hospitalization rate was among children under five, with 23% (69 of 299) requiring hospital care. The CDC has not yet released detailed hospitalization data for other age groups.

Vaccination Status of Cases

Vaccination status has played a critical role in the spread of the disease. The CDC reports that 96% of confirmed cases involved individuals who were either unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown. Only 2% of cases occurred in individuals who had received one dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, and another 2% in those who had received the recommended two doses.

The CDC recommends two doses of the MMR vaccine, with the first administered between 12 and 15 months of age and the second between 4 and 6 years. One dose is estimated to be 93% effective against measles, while two doses offer 97% protection.

Geographic Spread and Outbreak Clusters

The outbreak has been particularly severe in Texas, which has reported at least 709 confirmed cases, making it the epicenter of the current surge. The Texas Department of State Health Services has also confirmed that two school-aged children have died from measles-related complications. Both were unvaccinated and had no known underlying health conditions.

New Mexico has also been significantly affected, with at least 71 cases reported, primarily in Lea County, which borders western Texas. A third measles-related death was confirmed in New Mexico involving an unvaccinated adult.

In total, 14 outbreaks—defined by the CDC as three or more related cases—have been reported in 2025. These outbreaks account for 93% (928) of the total confirmed cases. By comparison, 16 outbreaks were reported in 2024, accounting for 69% (198) of that year’s 285 cases.

Historical Context

The last time the U.S. experienced a measles outbreak of this scale was in 2019, when 1,274 cases were confirmed across 31 states. That year marked the highest number of cases since 1992. The current 2025 outbreak is on track to surpass that figure, with more than 1,000 cases already confirmed by early May.

Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, meaning there was no continuous disease transmission for more than 12 months. However, the disease has re-emerged in recent years, largely due to declining vaccination rates and increased international travel.

State-Level Reporting and Surveillance

While the CDC provides national-level data, state-level reporting has varied. For example, Florida has reported between one and nine cases in 2025, but the state’s Department of Health has removed real-time county-level data from its public website, making it difficult to track local outbreaks. The last publicly available data from Florida was in March, following a confirmed case in a Miami high school student.

Other states, such as Texas and New Mexico, have provided more detailed updates, including hospitalization and mortality data. In both states, the majority of cases have occurred among unvaccinated individuals, consistent with national trends.

Demographic Breakdown

The CDC’s demographic data shows that children and teens under 20 years old account for 67% of all cases in 2025. This includes 299 cases in children under five and 376 cases in those aged 5 to 19. Adults aged 20 and older represent 31% of cases, while 1% are of unknown age.

The high proportion of cases among young people has raised concerns among pediatricians and school health officials, particularly in areas with lower vaccination coverage.

U.S. Measles Cases Exceed 1,000 in 2025, Highest Since 2019, CDC Reports

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