U.S. Measles Outbreak Surges to Highest Levels Since 2019

The United States is facing its worst measles outbreak in six years, with over 1,046 confirmed cases reported across at least 30 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

More than 1,000 infections nationwide. Children hardest hit. Most were never vaccinated.

A significant portion of those cases 728 infections, are concentrated in West Texas, where two children have died in recent weeks. Both were unvaccinated.

This spike marks the highest national case count since the 2019 outbreaks, and the numbers are still climbing.

Why It Matters: Measles Isn’t “Mild”

Measles is not just a rash and a fever. It’s one of the most contagious viruses on the planet. While many recover fully, 1 in 5 unvaccinated people who get infected land in the hospital. For children, the risk is even graver:

• 1 in 1,000 may suffer brain swelling, potentially causing lifelong damage.
• Up to 3 in 1,000 infected children will die, per CDC data.

Doctors are sounding the alarm, but not without hope. The MMR vaccine (measles-mumps-rubella) remains one of the most effective tools in modern medicine, with a long-proven safety record.

The West Texas outbreak has quickly become the deadliest in years. Most of the cases involve children and teens, nearly all of whom were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status.

The victims included:

• A school-aged child
• An 8-year-old girl
  Neither had underlying health issues, making their deaths even more tragic. A third fatality, a New Mexico adult, has also been linked to the disease.

Nationwide, 96% of all current measles cases involve individuals who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown.

And vaccination rates are slipping:

• In the 2019–2020 school year, 95.2% of U.S. kindergartners were vaccinated.
• By 2023–2024, that number dropped to 92.7%—below the CDC’s recommended 95% threshold for community (herd) immunity.

The trend, experts say, is exposing entire communities to preventable danger.

What the Numbers Show

Measles cases have declined dramatically since the MMR vaccine became widespread in the 1960s. But recent outbreaks show how quickly progress can unravel:

• 2019: 1,274 cases
• 2025 (so far): 1,046 cases
  If the trend continues, 2025 could surpass previous records.

Vaccination coverage among kindergartners (2023–24) hovers around 93%, with some states dipping below 90%. These gaps make it easier for the virus to spread.

In a rare move, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.—long known for his skepticism toward vaccines—publicly urged Americans to get the MMR shot.

“We encourage people to get the measles vaccine,” Kennedy told CBS News in April.
“The government should not mandate it, but I support the science.”

It marked the first time Kennedy has publicly endorsed the measles vaccine since assuming office.