Measles Epidemic Escalates in the United States
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Synopsis
The US is experiencing a significant increase in measles cases, surpassing 2024's total. Texas leads with 400 cases, prompting urgent vaccination calls amid declining immunization rates.
Key Takeaways
- Measles outbreaks are surging in the US.
- Texas reports the highest number of cases.
- Two fatalities have been confirmed.
- Vaccination rates are declining.
- Urgent calls for vaccinations have been issued.
Sacramento, March 29 (NationPress) The United States is currently facing a notable surge in measles infections, as reported by US health officials.
Data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that the number of cases in early 2025 has already surpassed the total for the entire year of 2024.
As of March 28, 2025, the CDC confirmed 483 cases of measles across 20 states, which includes 2 fatalities and 70 hospitalizations. In contrast, only 285 cases were documented in 33 states throughout all of 2024.
Texas is currently experiencing the most intense outbreak, with 400 cases recorded since late January, and 41 of those patients have been hospitalized, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.
This outbreak has unfortunately resulted in a tragic loss.
"There has been one death involving a school-aged child residing in the affected area. The child was unvaccinated and had no known health issues," stated the Texas health authority on March 25.
The rising cases have triggered health alerts and urgent calls for vaccinations, with the majority of cases across the nation linked to unvaccinated school-aged children.
Falling vaccination rates seem to be a contributing factor to this increase in cases. The CDC noted that coverage for the kindergarten measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine dropped from 95.2% during the 2019-2020 school year to 92.7% in 2023-2024, putting approximately 280,000 children at risk.
"The ongoing outbreak is undoubtedly driven by individuals who are unvaccinated," infectious disease epidemiologist Michael Mina was quoted by CNN, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
The New Jersey Department of Health revealed that "95% of the reported cases in the United States for 2025 involve children and individuals who either did not receive the MMR vaccine or have unknown vaccination status."
According to the CDC, "If the measles outbreak persists for a year or more, the United States risks losing its status of measles elimination."
The US officially declared an end to measles in 2000, indicating that there was no ongoing transmission of the disease within the country.
