The United States is in the middle of its worst measles outbreak in more than 30 years. As of July 2025, doctors have confirmed over 1,288 cases, and at least three people have died. This disease, which the U.S. said was gone in 2000, has come back with a vengeance. Fewer people getting vaccinated and more false information about vaccines have caused this problem to grow.
Texas has seen over 750 cases, which makes up almost 60% of the cases across the country. This has made public health officials very worried. They’re concerned because they’re seeing bad cases in kids under five pregnant women, and groups where not many people have gotten their shots.
“We’re dealing with a nationwide health crisis, not just a local issue,” Dr. David Sugerman, a top scientist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), stated during a CDC advisory meeting in April.
How Did We Get Here?
The Perfect Storm: Dropping Vaccination Rates, False Information, and Holes in Public Health
The outbreak started in late January 2025, in a country Mennonite Christian group in West Texas where many people doubt vaccines. In Gaines County — where the outbreak began — 82% of kindergarteners got two MMR shots in the 2023–24 school year well below the 95% needed to protect everyone.
As of July 8, the U.S. had confirmed 1,288 measles cases marking the highest count since 1992 when 2,126 cases were reported for the entire year. This year’s outbreak has already exceeded the 2019 wave — which involved 1,274 cases, but no deaths — signaling a dangerous shift.
Unlike in 2019, this outbreak has already caused three confirmed deaths, including two unvaccinated children in Texas and an adult in New Mexico, NBC News reports. None had known underlying conditions and none had received the MMR vaccine.
Health officials worry about underreporting in far-off and neglected areas. Dr. Ana Montanez, a pediatrician working in Lubbock and Gaines County, said: “Countering the misinformation put out there about using vitamin A instead of vaccines has been a struggle — an uphill struggle.”
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The Federal Response: Mixed Messages from Leadership
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has given contradictory signals. His office promotes vaccination and backs local response efforts. At the same time, Kennedy has cast doubt on the safety of the MMR vaccine and stressed “personal choice” over public health rules. He has also pushed unproven treatments like vitamin A and inhaled steroids. Experts say these offer no reliable defense against measles.
This lack of clarity at the top has weakened vaccination efforts and left the public unsure. The CDC still says the MMR vaccine offers the best protection — two doses give 97% protection — but more people are refusing vaccines in religious or secluded groups.
The Real-World Consequences
Hospitalizations Cost, and Vulnerable Populations
The 2025 measles outbreak has an impact on more than just increasing case numbers — it puts a strain on the U.S. healthcare system. CDC data shows the outbreak has led to 162 hospital stays so far. Many people think of measles as a “mild childhood illness,” but experts caution that major problems often occur in young kids pregnant women, and adults without vaccines.
The virus can cause ear infections, diarrhea, pneumonia, and brain swelling (encephalitis). In fact, 1 to 3 out of every 1,000 kids with measles die from breathing or brain-related issues. For those who survive lasting harm like hearing loss or thinking problems isn’t uncommon.
The economic toll keeps rising. Dr. Sugerman from the CDC states that each measles case can have an impact on public health response costing $30,000 to $50,000. With over 1,200 confirmed cases, experts estimate the total cost to be in the tens of millions — this doesn’t include long-term care for those with complications.
Measles and Pregnancy: A Hidden but Increasing Danger
While the 2025 outbreak has affected kids, doctors worry more about measles infections during pregnancy. Current CDC data don’t specify how many pregnant women got infected, but past outbreaks show that measles during pregnancy can cause miscarriages early births, or babies with low birth weights.
Since doctors can’t give the MMR vaccine during pregnancy, getting vaccinated before conception is crucial — a health message that rumors and false information have pushed aside.
Beyond Borders: Regional Impact in North America
This comeback hasn’t stayed within U.S. borders. Canada reported over 3,500 cases and one death by July — in Ontario. In Mexico, the outbreak is even worse: 2,600 cases and nine deaths have been confirmed in 2025.
Health experts think that people traveling across borders, including those who doubt vaccines, are keeping the virus alive and helping it spread. These international patterns show we need to work together to watch for and prevent the virus, not just try to stop it in each country alone.
Official Response: CDC and PAHO Interventions
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has an influence on affected states by offering technical help, lab backing, and vaccine delivery. Texas serves as an example where the state has suggested early shots for infants 6 to 11 months old, along with two-shot plans for kids without vaccines who are older.
At the same time, the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) has sounded alarms and pushed to improve teamwork across borders as outbreaks grow stronger along U.S.–Mexico routes.
Even with these actions, money problems exist. The CDC’s $11.4 billion for COVID-19 got cut in March taking away key funds used to help fight outbreaks. This money crunch shows up in Texas where local leaders say they can’t keep pace with new cases.
A Warning for the Country
The measles outbreak of 2025 shows us that diseases we thought were gone can come back when people lose faith in science. With 1,288 cases, 162 hospital stays, and three deaths, this year’s problem is worse than any outbreak since 1992 — and it’s not done yet.
The mix of falling MMR vaccine rates false info, and not enough public health money has caused a crisis. As people keep traveling abroad and doubt grows in communities, experts say the U.S. might soon lose its measles-free status. This would be a big step back after years of progress, both in what it means and how it affects things.
But we can still fix this problem. Health pros stress that two MMR shots give 97% protection that lasts for life. It’s safe, easy to get, and crucial for kids, health workers, and those going overseas.
The point is simple: Get your shots. Check with your doctor. Fight wrong info. And do it now — before measles takes more lives.
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Sources
1. Le Monde – US Records Worst Measles Outbreak in Over 30 Years. https://www.lemonde.fr/en/united-states/article/2025/07/07/us-records-worst-measles-outbreak-in-over-30-years_6743125_133.html
2. NBC News – Texas Measles Outbreak and Vaccination Gaps. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/measles-cases-reach-highest-point-disease-was-eliminated-us-2000-rcna201421
3. NBC News / CDC Data – Case Counts, Hospitalizations, Fatalities. https://www.ft.com/content/7de74912-04fd-4460-8c26-6df3185f9ad2
4. CDC.gov – Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention Guidelines. https://www.cdc.gov/measles/about/index.html
