This year’s measles outbreak is the worst since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000. Halfway through 2025, reported cases have already surpassed 1,274 − the peak for all of 2019.
According to data from the Johns Hopkins University Center for Outbreak Response Innovation, it reported a total of 1,277 confirmed cases, as of July 5. The majority of cases are linked to a large outbreak that originated in west Texas. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said other cases arose from community transmission or during travel.
The outbreak has led to at least 155 hospitalizations, including 431 adults and 824 children. There have been three confirmed deaths.
U.S. measles outbreak surpasses recent record
The virus is one of the most contagious infectious diseases. It’s so contagious that 92% of unvaccinated people who are exposed end up contracting the disease. And 1 in 5 of those people end up in the hospital, according to the CDC.
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Which state has the most measles cases?
Confirmed measles cases have been reported by 39 states and jurisdictions as of July 5. Most of the cases have been reported in Texas, New Mexico and Kansas, according to the Center for Outbreak Response Innovation and the CDC.
Breakdown of measles cases in Texas
The measles outbreak in west Texas is growing; 36 counties have reported cases, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. As of July 1, Texas has recorded 753 confirmed cases since January, including two deaths among school-age children living in the largest outbreak area.
How to protect yourself and others from measles
Knowing the symptoms of this vaccine-preventable disease can help reduce its chance of spreading. Here is a comparison of measles symptoms in children and adults.
According to the CDC, measles symptoms appear seven to 14 days after contact with the virus and typically include high fever, cough, runny nose and watery eyes. Measles rash appears three to five days after the first symptoms.
Other signs and symptoms include:
- Koplik’s spots, tiny white spots that may appear inside the mouth two to three days after symptoms begin.
- Small raised bumps may also appear on top of the flat red spots (the spots may become joined as they spread from the head to the rest of the body).
- When the rash appears, a person’s fever may spike to more than 104 degrees.
SOURCE Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Outbreak Response Innovation (CORI), State Health Departments, WHO, University of Minnesota, Texas Department of State Health Services and USA TODAY research
