Measles cases in the United States have surged in the first three months of 2025, surpassing the total number of cases reported in all of 2024, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The outbreak, currently centered in west Texas and New Mexico, has resulted in 309 cases in Texas and 42 in New Mexico, with two measles-related deaths reported so far.
The rise in cases has raised concerns about the resurgence of a disease that was declared eliminated in the U.S. 25 years ago.
Amidst the unprecedented outbreak, there is a silver lining: more people are getting vaccinated against measles. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is 97% effective, is the best defense against the virus.
In New Mexico, over 11,600 measles vaccines were administered between February 1 and March 18, 2025, compared to 6,500 during the same period in 2024. Similarly, Texas administered at least 173,000 measles doses between January 1 and March 16, 2025, up from 158,000 in the same period last year.
Measles Outbreak Spreads Beyond Texas and New Mexico
While Texas and New Mexico remain the epicenter of the outbreak, measles cases have also been reported in other US states and across Canada. In Canada, there have been 224 measles cases so far in 2025, including 173 confirmed and 51 probable cases.
What You Should Know about Measles: A Dangerous but Preventable Disease
Measles can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling, and even death. The recent deaths in Texas and New Mexico mark the first measles-related fatalities in the US since 2015, underscoring the seriousness of the outbreak.
The CDC has scheduled a public meeting in mid-April to discuss the growing outbreak and vaccination strategies with its independent vaccine advisory panel.
