According to new data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of reported cases of measles in the United States has climbed to 800, four months into 2025, and is the largest outbreak in decades.
This already risks topping the 1,274-case record in 2019, which is a concerning trend for public health.
Texas, where the virus is spreading rapidly, especially in Gaines County, is at the center of this epidemic. Nearly 600 cases have been reported within the state, with the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) being the agency that reports them. In Gaines County alone, a combined total of 371 people have tested positive. Upshur County, with 15 cases being investigated for possible connection to the West Texas cluster, is yet another hotspot in the state.
The Spread Beyond Texas
It’s not the only state to be affected. The outbreak in Texas has been partly attributed to the surge in Kansas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. Kansas now has a total of 37 cases in eight counties, with five new ones reported this week, says the Department of Health and Environment.
Another state that has been impacted is Michigan. The Mid-Michigan District Health Department has confirmed the first measles outbreak in Montcalm County since 2019. Given how rapidly the virus is able to spread around the globe, officials believe the cases are associated with a current outbreak in Ontario, Canada.
A more ominous trend is that Montana, which has been measles-free for decades, has seen its first cases since 1990. Five cases are under investigation by local health authorities; they are all related to travel overseas. Gallatin County was the site of the cases, and they involved adults and children. All of the patients are now isolated at home and were either unvaccinated or had uncertain vaccination histories.
A Common Thread: Low Vaccination Rates
Although the deaths are still only three, hospitalizations are mounting; 85 have needed medical treatment for disease complications, and the CDC says 94% of currently reported cases are linked to detailed outbreaks, as many as 10 across the country, from three more only last week. A staggering 96% of all reported cases through today are among unvaccinated persons or whose vaccination status is unknown.
The Bigger Picture
If current trends continue, public health experts warn that the U.S. could experience its largest measles outbreak since it was declared eliminated in 2000. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges parents to take vaccination seriously to help their children, but also to be watchful for signs of symptoms, especially when traveling abroad.
The message is not ambivalent: vaccination is still the most effective defense against measles, regardless of whether the virus moves from local community outbreaks to international news. The window of opportunity is closing.
