The United States has recorded 301 confirmed measles cases so far in 2025, according to the latest data released by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The outbreak has spread across 15 jurisdictions, with 50 individuals hospitalized and two fatalities reported.
Texas has been the hardest-hit state, accounting for 259 of the confirmed cases since January. Health officials have raised concerns over the rapid spread, with 34 patients requiring hospital care. The Texas Department of State Health Services has warned that further infections are likely due to measles’ highly contagious nature, particularly in outbreak zones and neighboring communities.
Understanding Measles and Its Risks
Measles is a highly infectious viral disease that spreads through airborne transmission when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Early symptoms include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red eyes
- Characteristic rash that spreads across the body
In severe cases, complications can arise, including pneumonia, brain swelling (encephalitis), and even death.
Vaccination: The Best Prevention
Health authorities emphasize that vaccination remains the most effective defense against measles. The CDC strongly recommends two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, which has proven to be highly effective in preventing the disease.
Global Surge: Europe’s Measles Crisis
Beyond the US, Europe has also experienced a sharp rise in measles cases. In 2024, the region recorded 127,350 infections, more than double the 2023 figure and the highest annual total since 1997. According to a joint analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF:
- Children under five accounted for over 40% of cases.
- The European Region, including 53 countries across Europe and Central Asia, represented one-third of all global measles cases in 2024.
- Over 50% of infected individuals required hospitalization.
- 38 deaths were reported as of March 2025.
The Decline and Resurgence of Measles
Historically, measles cases in Europe declined after peaking in 1997 with 216,000 cases. Numbers hit a record low of 4,440 cases in 2016, before resurging in 2018 and 2019 with 89,000 and 106,000 cases, respectively. However, a drop in immunization coverage during the Covid-19 pandemic has triggered a new wave of outbreaks in 2023 and 2024.
Health experts are urging immediate and widespread vaccination campaigns to combat the resurgence of measles and prevent further outbreaks. Public health officials stress that maintaining high immunization coverage is critical to controlling the spread of the disease and protecting vulnerable populations.
