The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today reported 21 more measles cases from the past week, pushing the year’s total above a record set in 2019 for the most cases since the disease was eliminated in the United States in 2000.
So far this year, 1,288 cases have been reported from 39 states, and 88% have been part of 27 outbreaks. Among confirmed cases, 92% occurred in people who are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status.
Measles isn’t just striking young children and their school-age peers: about one-third of cases have been reported in those ages 20 and older. The measles surge was initially fueled by a large outbreak in West Texas that began in January, but smaller outbreaks have now been reported from multiple states, along with numerous infections in unvaccinated people who traveled abroad.
Measles activity has increased globally, including in North America, where the virus is spreading in communities with large numbers of unvaccinated people—including Mennonite communities linked to large outbreaks in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Canada has reported 3,703 measles cases this year, the most since it eliminated the disease in 1998.
South Carolina reports first case of the year
The South Carolina Department of Public Health today announced the state’s first case of 2025, which involves an unvaccinated upstate resident with no immunity from a previous infection who was exposed during international travel.
Officials said the patient wasn’t infectious while traveling and is isolating at home. Investigators are identifying contacts and notifying people who may have been exposed.
Linda Bell, MD, state epidemiologist and health programs branch director, said, “Measles is highly contagious, and a serious disease caused by a virus that affects the respiratory tract. This virus spreads quickly, which is why we must act now to prevent its spread.”
Missouri confirms case cluster
In Missouri, health officials in Cedar County on June 23 announced a confirmed measles case in an unvaccinated child, and a few days later reported a second confirmed case, which is likely linked to the first case. Cedar County is in southwestern Missouri.
Also, officials said three family members of the first patient were determined to have measles, based on their symptoms and exposure timeline, bringing Cedar County’s total to five, all unvaccinated.
Developments in Texas, New Mexico, and Indiana
Cases continue to slow in the West Texas outbreak, with no new cases confirmed over the past week, the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) said in its weekly update yesterday, keeping the state’s total at 753 since January.
Outbreak-linked cases had been reported from 36 counties, but the TDSHS said ongoing transmission is only occurring in one now: Lamar.
The New Mexico Department of Health yesterday reported one new case, pushing the state’s total to 95. The latest confirmed case is from Luna County, located in southwestern New Mexico, where an outbreak at a correctional facility was recently reported. The facility houses 400 inmates and employs 100 staff.
So far, 14 cases have been reported from Luna County, with the most recent case confirmed on June 27.
In Indiana, the Putnam County Health Department yesterday announced a confirmed case on its Facebook page, noting that there is currently no outbreak and that the threat to the public remains low. Officials didn’t say how the patient was likely exposed. Putnam County is in west-central Indiana.
