Kentucky has reported its initial measles outbreak of 2025, as the total number of cases in the U.S. approaches a peak seen almost 30 years ago. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Wednesday that there have been 1,267 confirmed measles cases nationwide this year. Texas recently verified three additional measles cases linked to a significant outbreak that persisted from late winter through spring.
There are significant outbreaks occurring elsewhere in North America as well. The longest of these, in Ontario, Canada, has reported 2,212 cases from mid-October until June 24. The first death in the province was recorded on June 5, in a baby with congenital measles and other health issues. Additionally, Alberta, Canada, has counted 1,169 cases as of Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Mexican state of Chihuahua has reported 2,810 measles cases and eight deaths, according to their health ministry.
Several U.S. states are dealing with active outbreaks, which the CDC defines as three or more related cases. These states include Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Utah. So far this year, measles has claimed the lives of two young children in West Texas and an adult in New Mexico, all of whom were unvaccinated.
Measles is an extremely contagious viral disease that is airborne and spreads when an infected person breathes, sneezes, or coughs. Vaccination can prevent measles, which was declared eradicated in the U.S. back in 2000.
In Texas, three new cases tied to the state’s ongoing outbreak were reported on Tuesday, bringing the state total to 753 cases across 36 counties, primarily concentrated in West Texas, as per state data. In Texas alone, 99 individuals have been hospitalized due to the outbreak. Health authorities estimate that fewer than 1% of cases were actively contagious as of Tuesday. Over half of Texas’s cases have emerged in Gaines County, mostly affecting an undervaccinated Mennonite community. There is minimal ongoing measles transmission in Texas, confined mainly to Gaines and Lamar counties.
New investigations could potentially link 37 cases from 19 counties to the outbreak. The most recent pediatric victim, an 8-year-old, succumbed to measles complications in April, as confirmed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This child apparently had no underlying health issues and suffered from what was described as “measles pulmonary failure.” Another unvaccinated child ind the state died of similar causes in late February.
Meanwhile, New Mexico recorded 94 measles cases as of last Friday. A prison outbreak in Luna County contributed to the spread, prompting officials to warn residents and suspend in-person visits. Most cases in the state are found in Lea County, while other counties like Sandoval, Eddy, Don?a Ana, Chaves, Curry, and San Juan have reported individual cases. Tragically, an unvaccinated adult died from measles complications without seeking medical treatment on March 6.
Oklahoma remains stable with 17 confirmed and 3 probable measles cases, yet the specific counties impacted remain undisclosed by health authorities. In Arizona, four unvaccinated individuals in Navajo County who recently traveled internationally are linked to a common source of measles infection.
Colorado witnessed 16 measles cases, with an outbreak involving 10 interconnected cases traced to a Turkish Airlines flight that arrived at Denver International Airport in mid-May. Some travelers contracted measles on the plane or at the airport, while another unrelated case surfaced in Boulder County in a vaccinated individual returning from Europe. Other affected Colorado counties include Archuleta and Pueblo.
In Georgia, six measles cases have been confirmed, with three connected to an outbreak in the Atlanta metropolitan area as of June 18. Earlier year cases occurred in January from an independent outbreak. Illinois saw its numbers grow to eight in a southern outbreak, with no new reports since early June. Other cases in the state are located in Cook County.
Iowa dealt with six cases this year, among which four were from a family in eastern Johnson County. Kansas added three more cases for a cumulative 83 cases out of which most are linked and found in Gray County. In Kentucky, four outbreak cases occurred centrally, with a total of seven cases verified across the state thus far.
As of Wednesday, Michigan reported a Grand Traverse County outbreak involving four cases, while Montcalm County’s earlier outbreak was resolved by early June. The total number of cases in the state has reached 18, with half linked to outbreaks.
Montana reported a rise to 24 cases statewide, primarily in Gallatin County, marking its first measles occurrence in 35 years. Additionally, Flathead, Yellowstone, and Hill counties have recorded cases, along with neighboring outbreaks in North Dakota, Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan.
North Dakota witnessed its first measles cases since 2011, accumulating 34 cases by early June with two hospitalizations. All affected people were unvaccinated. Distribution includes Williams, Grand Forks, Cass, and Burke counties.
Utah identified nine cases with at least three interconnected. Various cluster activities are ongoing, and unvaccinated exposure might lead to more cases. Among those affected, at least two have required hospitalization and two cases involve pregnant women.
Beyond these states, measles incidences have surfaced in Alaska, Arkansas, California, the District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming. Outbreaks in Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania seem resolved after no new diagnoses for six weeks, with an outbreak in Tennessee also appearing over.
Frequently, U.S. measles cases are traced to infections contracted abroad, mainly involving unvaccinated travelers. During 2019, the U.S. reported 1,274 cases, nearly losing its measles-eliminated status.
The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is the most effective defense against measles; the first dose is recommended at 12-15 months of age, while the second dose should be given at 4-6 years old. Adults can safely receive another MMR dose if concerned about decreased immunity. Records before 1968 indicating a faulty vaccine warrant revaccination.
Children without vaccination or those missing certificates of previous infection are at risk. Individuals born before 1957 usually possess presumptive immunity.
Communities maintaining more than 95% vaccination rates hinder measles propagation through “herd immunity.” Nationwide, vaccine uptake rates have fallen since the pandemic, as more parents claim exemptions for vaccinations due to religious or personal viewpoints. Measles typically impacts the respiratory system initially, leading to systemic distribution, presenting as high fever, nasal discharge, coughing, and red, watery eyes before a rash appears. This rash, beginning on the face, spreads downward. Severe complications from measles include pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling, and even death.
Since specific treatments for measles are absent, physicians focus on symptom relief, complication prevention, and ensuring patient comfort.