Measles Cases Reach 30-Year High in the United States

The national number of measles cases in the US has reached its highest level in over 30 years, with 1,300 reported cases so far in 2025. This surge in cases is attributed to a decline in vaccination rates, with South Carolina experiencing its first reported measles case of the year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines "eliminated" as the absence of continuous disease spread greater than 12 months, and the US is "really flirting with it no longer being something considered eliminated."

As the nation grapples with this public health concern, infectious diseases specialist Stephen Thacker emphasizes the importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of measles. Thacker notes that the measles vaccine became available in the early 1960s, causing a significant drop in measles cases. However, the lack of firsthand experience with measles among younger generations has contributed to a decline in vaccination rates.

Measles cases have been reported in 40 states, with Texas accounting for the majority of cases. The CDC reports that 88% of cases are part of outbreaks, which it defines as three or more related cases. South Carolina's measles case serves as a reminder for individuals to ensure they have protected themselves through vaccination.

Key Takeaways:

• The national number of measles cases in the US has reached 1,300, with 40 states affected.
• The majority of cases, 88%, are part of outbreaks, with three or more related cases.
• Texas has reported the most cases, with two children's deaths attributed to unvaccination.
• The CDC defines "eliminated" as the absence of continuous disease spread greater than 12 months.
• The measles vaccine became available in the early 1960s, causing a significant drop in measles cases.
• The lack of firsthand experience with measles among younger generations has contributed to a decline in vaccination rates.
• South Carolina's measles case serves as a reminder for individuals to ensure they have protected themselves through vaccination.
• According to the CDC, measles symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, and rash.
• Common side effects from the measles vaccine include a sore arm, fever, mild rash, and temporary joint pain.

Statistics:

• 1,300 reported measles cases in the US in 2025.
• 40 states have reported measles cases.
• 88% of cases are part of outbreaks.
• 92% of kindergarteners had the required two doses of measles vaccination for the 2023-2024 school year.
• 750 measles cases have been reported in Texas in 2025.
• 59 cases were reported in 2023.
• 285 cases were reported last year.
• 2 children have died from measles in Texas in 2025.

Sources:

• News that South Carolina has its first reported measles case of 2025 came on the same day that the national number of measles cases hit its highest level in more than 30 years. And there are still six months to go this year. "We're really flirting with it no longer being something considered eliminated in the U.S.," said Stephen Thacker, M.D. (Medical University of South Carolina)
• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, eliminated means "the absence of the continuous spread of disease was greater than 12 months."
• The state Department of Public Health reports that the person who has measles lives in the Upstate, is unvaccinated, didn't have immunity from a past measles infection, was exposed to measles during an international trip, and is not contagious while traveling.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says 88% of all cases are part of outbreaks, which it defines as "three or more related cases."
• According to the CDC, measles symptoms include: High fever, possibly over 104 degrees. Cough. Runny nose. Red, watery eyes. Rash.
• Common side effects from the measles vaccine include a sore arm from the shot, a fever, a mild rash and temporary joint pain.