Context:

The United States is experiencing its highest number of measles cases in over three decades, with 1,288 cases reported and six months remaining in 2025. This situation threatens the nation's status of having eliminated measles, a vaccine-preventable disease, which could be lost if the virus continues to spread non-stop for a year. The outbreaks began in undervaccinated communities in West Texas and have resulted in three deaths and numerous hospitalizations. Similar outbreaks are occurring in Canada and Mexico, often linked to communities with historically low vaccination rates, such as conservative Mennonite groups. The decline in vaccination rates, exacerbated by stagnant funding for public health departments and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, has left many communities vulnerable to measles outbreaks, as evidenced by the suboptimal vaccination rates among kindergarteners in several states.

Dive Deeper:

• The United States is facing its worst measles outbreak in over thirty years, with 1,288 cases reported and half of the year 2025 still remaining. The number of cases has already surpassed the count for the entire year of 2019, which was 1,274, raising concerns about the potential loss of the country's measles-elimination status if the virus continues to spread unchecked.

• Initial outbreaks were traced back to undervaccinated communities in West Texas, where interconnected outbreaks have led to three deaths and numerous hospitalizations. Similar situations are observed in Canada and Mexico, where large Mennonite communities with traditionally low vaccination rates have become epicenters for outbreaks.

• The World Health Organization declared measles eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, but the current outbreaks threaten this status due to insufficient vaccination coverage. Communities like those in New York in 2019, which experienced large outbreaks linked to close-knit groups, highlight the ongoing challenges of maintaining high vaccination rates.

• A study indicated that childhood vaccination rates, including for the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, decreased post-COVID-19 pandemic in nearly 80% of U.S. counties with data. This decrease is evident in the current kindergarten vaccination rate of 92.7%, which falls below the 95% threshold needed to prevent measles outbreaks.

• Public health experts warn that the measles outbreaks are symptomatic of broader issues with vaccination attitudes in the U.S., exacerbated by stagnant funding for local public health vaccination programs. The situation serves as a warning sign of potential worsening trends in vaccination compliance and public health readiness.