Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs Cases of measles, a highly infectious disease that is particularly dangerous to children, have been reported in 10 U.S. states since the beginning of 2025, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).The federal agency has reported a total of 164 cases in 2025 up to February 27, spread between Texas, Rhode Island, New York, New Mexico, New Jersey, Kentucky, Georgia, California, Alaska and Washington.Why It MattersThe CDC warns that measles “can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5 years of age” including pneumonia and encephalitis.On Wednesday, the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSH) said an unvaccinated child had died from measles as the state battles its worse outbreak of the disease in 30 years.According to CDC data, two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine are 97 percent effective at preventing measles infection, whilst one dose is 93 percent effective. There are fears anti-vaccine sentiment, strengthened by the coronavirus pandemic, is playing a part in the current measles flair up.TexasAs of February 28, the TDSH said recorded 146 measles cases in the South Plains area of Texas, which had resulted in 20 hospitalizations and the death of one unvaccinated school-age child.Of these cases, 46 were in children aged 0-4, 70 in children between 5 and 17, 25 adults 18 years and older, and five pending categorization.New MexicoNine cases of measles have been recorded in New Mexico’s Lea County, near Texas, of which four were in children aged 5-17 and five in adults aged from 18 up.The New Mexico Department of Health has warned that “additional cases are likely to occur in Lea County and the surrounding communities.”
States with confirmed measles cases in 2025. Texas, which has the main outbreak, in red whilst other states that have recorded at least one case are in pink.
CaliforniaThree cases of measles were recorded in California in February by the state’s department of public health.In total, the state recorded four measles cases in 2023, and 15 in 2024.KentuckyOn February 26, the Kentucky Department of Public Health confirmed one case in the state with an individual who had recently traveled internationally to an area “with ongoing measles transition.” This was the first case recorded in the state since February 2023.New JerseyThree measles cases have been confirmed in New Jersey in February. The first was reported by the state’s department of health on February 14 with a Bergen County resident who had recently traveled internationally. On February 20, two additional cases were reported in individuals who “had close contact with the index case.”
Signs point the way to measles testing in the parking lot of the Seminole Hospital District across from Wigwam Stadium on February 27, 2025 in Seminole, Texas.
Signs point the way to measles testing in the parking lot of the Seminole Hospital District across from Wigwam Stadium on February 27, 2025 in Seminole, Texas.
Jan Sonnenmair/GETTY
New YorkThus far in 2025, two measles cases have been reported in New York City, though none in the remainder of New York state. In the state as a whole, 15 cases were recorded in 2024, of which 14 were in New York City.WashingtonA case of measles in Washington state was confirmed in a King County infant on February 26. Authorities said the child may have been exposed to the disease during international travel.GeorgiaThe Georgia Department of Public Health has recorded three measles cases this year, all of which were in an unvaccinated family living in the Atlanta metropolitan area.AlaskaIn January, the Alaska Department of Health confirmed one case of measles in an adult residing in the southern Kenai Peninsula.Rhode IslandOne case of measles was confirmed in Rhode Island in January, a young unvaccinated child who had recently traveled internationally. This was the state’s first reported case since 2013.What People Are SayingSpeaking on Wednesday, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., previously a noted vaccine skeptic, described the ongoing outbreak as “not unusual.”He said: “We are following the measles epidemic every day. I think there’s 124 people who have contracted measles at this point, mainly in Gaines County, Texas, mainly, we’re told, in the Mennonite community. There are two people who have died, but we’re watching it.”Incidentally, there have been four measles outbreaks this year in this country. Last year, there were 16, so it’s not unusual.”The Texas Department of State Health Services said: “The best way to prevent getting sick is to be immunized with two doses of a vaccine against measles, which is primarily administered as the combination measles-mumps-rubella vaccine. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are highly effective at preventing measles.”New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said: “Measles is a very contagious, serious respiratory disease that causes rash and fever. In some cases, measles can reduce the immune system’s ability to fight other infections like pneumonia. I encourage anyone not vaccinated against measles to receive at least one dose of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine and get their children vaccinated with two doses.”What Happens NextMeasles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000 but has since made a comeback which experts attribute to international travel and the rise of anti-vaccine sentiment. It remains to be seen whether the ongoing outbreaks will die out or continue to spread.
