By Sara Monsluszko, Taylor Johnson
CBS News
The United States has recorded 1,288 measles cases so far this year, the highest total in 33 years, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data out Wednesday.
Just over halfway through 2025, the U.S. has now surpassed 2019's total number of infections, when 1,274 measles cases were confirmed, which at the time was the highest in more than a quarter century.
This is now the worst year for measles in the U.S. since 1992, when 2,126 cases were confirmed. The virus was officially declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, after high rates of vaccination succeeded at halting nearly all domestic spread.
Maps show measles cases across U.S., Texas
The largest share of this year's infections are connected to an outbreak in West Texas that led to the deaths of two children. The number of cases in Texas alone has grown to more than 750. Measles infections have been confirmed in 38 states.
In a statement to CBS News, the CDC said the risk of measles infection is low for the overall population, noting that the U.S. case rate is lower than other countries including Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Spain and Italy.
"Measles risk is higher in U.S. communities with low vaccination rates in areas with active measles outbreaks or with close social and/or geographic linkages to areas with active measles outbreaks," the statement said, adding, "CDC continues to recommend MMR vaccines as the best way to protect against measles."
How measles cases spread
The virus spreads through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks or even just breathes, and it can continue to infect others in the area for up to two hours after the infected person leaves.
Measles is primarily a respiratory virus, and in some cases it can cause severe infections in the lungs and brain that can lead to cognitive issues, deafness or death. But the vaccine, which is normally given as part of the combination measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, is safe and highly effective at preventing it, doctors and health experts say.
Before the first measles vaccine became available in the 1960s, between 400 and 500 Americans – mostly children – died every year from measles.
Measles is primarily a respiratory virus, and in some cases it can cause severe infections in the lungs and brain that can lead to cognitive issues, deafness or death. But the vaccine, which is normally given as part of the combination measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, is safe and highly effective at preventing it, doctors and health experts say.
Before the first measles vaccine became available in the 1960s, between 400 and 500 Americans – mostly children – died every year from measles.
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2 comments:
Parents need to vaccinate their children. It is part of being responsible. How do the children even go to school?
I remember having friends that had polio. One leg shorter than the other and metal braces for support. Don't make decisions for your children about
immunizations based on hearsay. Read the information for their sakes.
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