Measles cases are on the rise in multiple states across the United States, with over 250 reported since the start of 2025. Texas has been significantly impacted, reporting 223 cases since late January, along with 29 hospitalizations. Similarly, New Mexico has declared an outbreak, with 33 confirmed cases, including a recent diagnosis in Eddy County. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned that more cases are expected as the outbreak continues to spread rapidly.
The initial cases were confirmed in California, specifically in Los Angeles County and Fresno County. In addition to California and New Mexico, measles cases have been reported in several other states, including Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York City, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Washington. A majority of these cases involve unvaccinated residents, highlighting concerns about vaccine hesitancy.
Robert F Kennedy Jr., a known vaccine skeptic, has fueled controversy by claiming that the measles vaccine causes illnesses related to measles itself. This assertion comes despite evidence showing that receiving two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine is 97% effective in preventing measles for life. Health officials emphasize the importance of vaccination, especially as most of the current outbreak involves unvaccinated individuals.
New Mexico reported one case requiring hospitalization, and nationally, two deaths have been confirmed, including that of an unvaccinated child. These developments underscore the serious health risks associated with measles, a disease that was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000. The resurgence of measles cases has raised alarms among public health authorities who stress vaccination as a critical measure to control the outbreak.