Skyrocketing Measles Cases in the U.S. Outpace Entire Previous Year's Count by More Than Fourfold

Skyrocketing Measles Cases in the U.S. Outpace Entire Previous Year's Count by More Than Fourfold

Measles Outbreak Reaches Record High in 2025

The United States is currently grappling with a significant increase in measles cases, with over 1,300 confirmed cases across 39 states as of late July 2025. This figure is more than 4.5 times higher than the entirety of last year, which had an estimated 285 cases reported [1][4].

The surge in cases can be attributed to several key factors. Firstly, there has been a decline in vaccination rates, with most cases (92-97%) among those unvaccinated or with unknown vaccination status, reflecting a drop in MMR vaccine coverage [1][3].

Secondly, measles, a highly contagious disease, spreads easily, and outbreaks can grow quickly when vaccination coverage falls. The most significant outbreak is in West Texas, accounting for over 760 cases in that state alone [2][4]. Nationwide, there have been 29 outbreaks reported in 2025, involving 88% of the confirmed cases [2][4].

Measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. by 2000 due to successful vaccination efforts. However, the current increase serves as a stark reminder of the serious consequences when vaccination rates decline. The outbreak has resulted in hospitalizations and deaths, with at least two children and one adult dying in 2025, the first such deaths in a decade [1][2].

Children in the U.S. are recommended to receive the two-dose measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The first dose is administered at 12 to 15 months of age, and the second is between 4 and 6 years old [5]. One dose of the MMR vaccine is 93% effective, and two doses are 97% effective [6].

Despite the effectiveness of the vaccine, about 280,000 U.S. kindergarteners, or 7.3%, lack protection from the virus [7]. The rate of kindergarteners receiving state-required vaccinations dropped from 95% in the 2019-2020 school year to less than 93% in the 2023-2024 school year [7].

It's important to note that prior to the vaccine, nearly all children got measles by the time they were 15 years old [5]. A booster shot is not typically recommended for adults who already have immunity from the virus through vaccination or prior infection [8].

This article's facts are based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which reported this data on Wednesday [9]. While not directly related to the measles outbreak, it's worth mentioning that longtime Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell initiated a meeting with the Department of Justice, according to sources [10].

References:

[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Measles: Case Counts. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/measles/cases-outbreaks.html

[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Measles: Outbreaks. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/measles/cases-outbreaks.html

[3] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Measles: Vaccination Coverage. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/measles/vaccination.html

[4] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Measles: 2025 Data. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/measles/2025data.html

[5] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Measles: Vaccination Schedule. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/measles/hcp/index.html

[6] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Measles: Vaccine Effectiveness. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/measles/vaccine-effectiveness.html

[7] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Measles: Vaccination Coverage Among Kindergarteners. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/measles/vaccination-coverage.html

[8] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Measles: Adult Vaccination. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/measles/adults.html

[9] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025). Measles: Data Reported on Wednesday. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/measles/2025data-report.html

[10] Associated Press. (2025). Ghislaine Maxwell Meets with Justice Department, Source Says. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/ghislaine-maxwell-jeffrey-epstein-justice-department-apf10d15e868e024e00f98d7c53600f6c

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