U.S. measles cases hit highest level in 33 years, CDC reports
The U.S. has hit an unwelcome milestone in measles cases this year. The CDC is reporting 1,288 cases across the country. The disease was declared eliminated 25 years ago.
www.npr.orgHere are the latest publicly reported updates on measles from trusted health sources.
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United States outbreak status (CDC): Through spring 2025, the U.S. saw a multistate measles outbreak centered in New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas, with hundreds of cases and hospitalizations. The report notes a substantial rise in cases compared to previous years and highlights a large share of cases in unvaccinated individuals. A broader CDC summary indicated growing outbreaks and hospitalizations across the country, with hospitalizations and deaths reported in several outbreaks. For the most current U.S. weekly case counts, see the CDC measles data page.[2][4]
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National and international context: Global attention remains on measles as a disease with rising case counts in some regions despite overall progress in vaccination. A WHO update from late 2024 highlighted worldwide increases in measles cases for 2023, with tens of millions of infections globally and notable death tolls in certain areas.[7][10]
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U.S. case counts and severity (2025): NPR reported that the U.S. reached a high level of measles cases in 2025, marking a worrisome milestone despite historical progress toward elimination, with vaccine advocacy emphasized by public health authorities.[3]
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Vaccination and outcomes: CDC and other public health entities continue to advocate MMR vaccination as the most effective defense against measles, noting that outbreaks often occur in communities with low vaccination coverage and that vaccination significantly reduces severe outcomes.[4][2][7]
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Related news and updates: Nationwide and regional outlets have continued to report on outbreak patterns, vaccination efforts, and public health responses, including hospitalizations, travel-associated cases, and efforts to increase vaccination uptake in affected communities.[5][8][3]
Key takeaways
- Measles remains a concern in several U.S. states (notably the southwest) with ongoing outbreaks, especially among unvaccinated individuals.[2]
- Global measles activity fluctuates, but the vaccine remains the best defense and WHO emphasizes continued vaccination efforts to prevent deaths.[10][7]
- For the most current weekly numbers in the U.S., consult the CDC measles data page; trends show that case counts can rise rapidly during outbreaks.[4]
If you’d like, I can pull the latest weekly CDC numbers for your area (Los Angeles) and summarize local vaccination guidance or accessibility of MMR vaccines. I can also provide a short infographic-style recap of vaccination reminders for adults and children. Please specify what format you prefer.[7][2][4]