Measles in the U.S. 2025
In 2025, the United States is grappling with its most severe measles outbreak in decades, threatening to unravel over two decades of progress since the disease was declared eliminated nationally in 2000. As of April, there have been 884 confirmed cases, representing a 180% increase from the total cases reported in 2024. This explosive rise is closely tied to declining vaccination rates, especially among school-aged children and younger populations. With 93% of cases linked to outbreaks and 97% occurring in unvaccinated or unknown-status individuals, the data paints a clear picture: the resurgence of measles is a direct consequence of falling immunization coverage.
What’s particularly concerning is the disproportionate impact on vulnerable groups. Children under 5 years old account for 30% of all cases, with 1 in 5 requiring hospitalization, while school-aged children (5–19 years) comprise the largest infected age group. The outbreak has spread across 30 jurisdictions, driven by clusters of under-vaccinated communities where the virus spreads rapidly due to its extreme contagiousness—remaining airborne for up to 2 hours after an infected person leaves a room. The situation in states like Texas, where one outbreak alone accounts for over 750 cases, underscores the urgent need to restore MMR vaccination coverage to at least 95% to reestablish herd immunity and prevent further loss of life.
Interesting Facts About Measles in the U.S. 2025
| Measles Fact | 2025 Data |
|---|---|
| Total Confirmed Cases | 884 cases (as of April 24, 2025) |
| Outbreak-Associated Cases | 93% of all confirmed cases |
| Number of Active Outbreaks | 11 outbreaks (3+ related cases) |
| States/Jurisdictions Affected | 30 jurisdictions across the U.S. |
| Hospitalization Rate | 11% of confirmed cases |
| Deaths Reported | 3 confirmed deaths |
| Vaccination Coverage | 92.7% among kindergarteners (2023-2024) |
| Unvaccinated/Unknown Status | 97% of confirmed cases |
| Age Group Most Affected | 5-19 years (38% of cases) |
| Cases in Children Under 5 | 266 cases (30% of total) |
The data reveals shocking statistics about the current measles situation in America. With 884 confirmed cases reported by April 24, 2025, this represents a dramatic escalation from the 285 cases recorded during the entire 2024 period. The fact that 97% of cases occur in unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status underscores the critical importance of the MMR vaccine in preventing this highly contagious disease.
Particularly concerning is the 20% hospitalization rate among children under 5 years old, with 53 out of 266 cases in this age group requiring hospital care. The outbreak has spread across 30 jurisdictions, demonstrating the virus’s ability to cross state boundaries rapidly. The current vaccination coverage of 92.7% among kindergarteners falls dangerously below the 95% threshold needed for community immunity, leaving approximately 280,000 kindergarteners at risk during the 2023-2024 school year.
Measles Case Distribution by Age Groups in the U.S. 2025
| Age Group | Number of Cases | Percentage | Hospitalization Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 5 years | 266 cases | 30% | 20% (53 cases) |
| 5-19 years | 338 cases | 38% | Data not specified |
| 20+ years | 261 cases | 30% | Data not specified |
| Age Unknown | 19 cases | 2% | Data not specified |
| Total | 884 cases | 100% | 11% overall |
The age distribution of measles cases in 2025 shows a concerning pattern that differs from historical trends. School-age children between 5-19 years represent the largest group at 38% of all cases, followed closely by children under 5 and adults over 20, each accounting for 30% of cases. This distribution suggests that measles is spreading effectively across all age groups, indicating widespread gaps in vaccination coverage.
The hospitalization data is particularly alarming for the youngest victims, with 1 in 5 children under 5 requiring hospital care. This 20% hospitalization rate among infants and toddlers reflects the severe nature of measles in young children, whose immune systems are not fully developed. The high representation of school-age children in the outbreak statistics points to transmission occurring in educational settings, where close contact facilitates rapid spread of the virus among unvaccinated students.
Measles Vaccination Status in the U.S. 2025
| Vaccination Status | Percentage of Cases | Number of Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Unvaccinated or Unknown | 97% | 858 cases |
| One MMR Dose | 1% | 9 cases |
| Two MMR Doses | 2% | 17 cases |
| Total | 100% | 884 cases |
The vaccination status data reveals a stark reality about the current measles outbreak. An overwhelming 97% of confirmed cases occur in individuals who are either unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status, clearly demonstrating the protective power of the MMR vaccine. This statistic reinforces decades of scientific evidence showing that vaccination is the most effective prevention strategy against measles.
The small percentage of breakthrough infections in vaccinated individuals (3% combined for one and two doses) is consistent with the expected vaccine effectiveness rates. Two doses of MMR vaccine are 97% effective at preventing measles, while one dose provides 93% protection. These breakthrough cases often occur in communities with active outbreaks where high levels of virus circulation increase exposure risk, but they represent a tiny fraction compared to cases in unvaccinated populations.
Measles Outbreaks and Geographic Distribution in the U.S. 2025
| Outbreak Metric | 2025 Data | 2024 Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Total Outbreaks | 11 outbreaks | 16 outbreaks |
| Outbreak-Associated Cases | 93% (820 cases) | 69% (198 cases) |
| States/Jurisdictions Affected | 30 jurisdictions | 33 jurisdictions |
| Largest Single Outbreak | Texas: 753 cases | Data not available |
| Cases Per Outbreak Average | 75 cases | 12 cases |
The geographic spread of measles in 2025 shows both concentration and dispersion patterns. While the number of individual outbreaks has decreased from 16 in 2024 to 11 in 2025, the outbreaks are significantly larger and more severe. The 93% outbreak-association rate indicates that most cases are linked to specific transmission chains rather than isolated incidents, suggesting more intense community spread.
Texas has emerged as the epicenter of the current crisis, with 753 confirmed cases primarily concentrated in West Texas since late January. This single outbreak represents the vast majority of cases nationwide and demonstrates how quickly measles can spread in communities with inadequate vaccination coverage. The affected jurisdictions span from Alaska to Florida, showing that no region of the country is immune to measles resurgence when vaccination rates decline.
Measles Hospitalization and Mortality in the U.S. 2025
| Health Outcome | 2025 Statistics | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Total Hospitalizations | 94 cases | 11% |
| Hospitalizations Under 5 | 53 cases | 20% |
| Confirmed Deaths | 3 deaths | 0.3% |
| Cases Requiring ICU | Data not available | Not specified |
| Average Hospital Stay | Data not available | Not specified |
The health outcomes from the 2025 measles outbreak underscore the serious nature of this preventable disease. With 94 hospitalizations representing 11% of all cases, measles continues to cause significant morbidity requiring intensive medical care. The disproportionate impact on children under 5 is evident, with 20% of cases in this age group requiring hospitalization compared to the overall rate.
The 3 confirmed deaths from measles in 2025 represent the most tragic outcome of declining vaccination coverage. While the 0.3% mortality rate may seem low, these deaths were entirely preventable through vaccination. Before the measles vaccine was introduced, an estimated 400-500 people died annually in the United States from measles, demonstrating the life-saving impact of immunization programs that are now being threatened by declining vaccination rates.
Measles Trends in the U.S. 2020-2025
| Year | Total Cases | Outbreaks | Key Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 13 cases | Not specified | COVID-19 pandemic impact |
| 2021 | 49 cases | Not specified | Afghan evacuee cases |
| 2022 | 121 cases | Not specified | Post-pandemic resurgence |
| 2023 | 59 cases | 4 outbreaks | Stable but concerning |
| 2024 | 285 cases | 16 outbreaks | Significant increase |
| 2025 | 884 cases | 11 outbreaks | Crisis-level surge |
The five-year trend shows a dramatic escalation in measles cases, with 2025 representing a crisis point. The 2020 pandemic year saw historically low numbers due to travel restrictions and social distancing measures, but the subsequent years show a concerning upward trajectory. The 180% increase from 2024 to 2025 represents the most significant year-over-year jump in recent history.
This progression reflects multiple factors including pandemic-related disruptions to routine childhood vaccinations, increased vaccine hesitancy, and the natural evolution of measles importation patterns as global travel resumed. The shift from scattered cases in 2020-2022 to large, sustained outbreaks in 2024-2025 indicates that measles has found communities with sufficient numbers of susceptible individuals to sustain transmission chains.
MMR Vaccination Coverage Trends in the U.S. 2019-2024
| School Year | Kindergarten MMR Coverage | Change from Previous Year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019-2020 | 95.2% | Baseline year |
| 2020-2021 | 94.6% | -0.6% |
| 2021-2022 | 93.0% | -1.6% |
| 2022-2023 | 92.9% | -0.1% |
| 2023-2024 | 92.7% | -0.2% |
| Target Coverage | 95% | Below target |
The vaccination coverage data reveals a troubling decline that correlates directly with the measles resurgence. The drop from 95.2% in 2019-2020 to 92.7% in 2023-2024 represents a 2.5 percentage point decrease that has left approximately 280,000 kindergarteners vulnerable to measles. This decline below the critical 95% threshold has created the conditions necessary for sustained measles transmission.
The steepest decline occurred during the 2021-2022 school year, likely reflecting the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on routine healthcare services and vaccination programs. While the rate of decline has slowed in recent years, the coverage has not recovered to pre-pandemic levels, leaving communities vulnerable to outbreaks. The persistent gap between current coverage and the 95% target explains why measles continues to find susceptible populations and establish transmission chains across multiple states.
Conclusion
The measles situation in the United States during 2025 represents a critical public health emergency that demands immediate attention and coordinated response. With 884 confirmed cases and 3 deaths by April 2025, the country faces its most severe measles outbreak since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000. The 93% outbreak-association rate and spread across 30 jurisdictions demonstrate how quickly this highly contagious disease can resurge when vaccination coverage falls below the protective threshold of 95%.
The path forward requires urgent action to restore vaccination coverage, particularly among the 280,000 kindergarteners who remain vulnerable due to the current 92.7% coverage rate. Healthcare providers, public health officials, and communities must work together to address vaccine hesitancy, improve access to immunization services, and educate families about the critical importance of MMR vaccination. Only through sustained commitment to vaccination can the United States regain control over measles transmission and protect the health of all Americans, particularly the most vulnerable populations including infants and immunocompromised individuals who cannot be vaccinated themselves.
Disclaimer: The data research report we present here is based on information found from various sources. We are not liable for any financial loss, errors, or damages of any kind that may result from the use of the information herein. We acknowledge that though we try to report accurately, we cannot verify the absolute facts of everything that has been represented.
