The United States has reported 1,277 cases of measles so far in 2025, the highest number since 2000, when the disease was declared eliminated in the country.
The current outbreak has been primarily driven by a spread that started in a Mennonite community in West Texas, according to a report from NBC News.
In addition to the high number of infections, this year has also seen the first measles deaths in a decade in the U.S.: two children in Texas and one adult in New Mexico, none of whom were vaccinated.
Health authorities indicate that the main focus of the outbreak is located in Gaines County, Texas, where vaccination rates among schoolchildren are below the recommended threshold of 95% to prevent the spread.
Only 82% of kindergarten children have received both doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, the source indicated.
The widespread decline in vaccination levels has been a key factor in the resurgence of the virus.
During the 2023-24 school year, less than 93% of American children received both doses, compared to the 95% recorded in 2019-20.
In total, more than 700 cases are concentrated in Texas, although smaller outbreaks have been detected in other regions of the country due to international travel.
If the current trend continues, the United States risks losing its status as a "measles-free country," warned Dr. David Sugerman, a scientist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Unlike what happened in 2019 with Orthodox Jewish communities in New York, where a mass vaccination campaign succeeded in containing the outbreak, authorities today face serious budgetary constraints following post-pandemic funding cuts.
In June, the CDC reduced funding by $11.4 billion, which has directly impacted the response to outbreaks like this one.
Another obstacle pointed out by experts has been the conflicting messages from the federal government.
Although the Secretary of Health, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has urged the public to get vaccinated, he has also promoted treatments lacking scientific support, such as the use of steroids or vitamin A, and has questioned the effectiveness of the vaccine.
Pediatricians in Texas, such as Dr. Ana Montanez, cited by NBC News, warn that misinformation is the main enemy of public health.
In their experience, some parents have chosen to administer vitamin A instead of vaccinating their children, despite the fact that the MMR vaccine is 97% effective and provides lifelong protection.
Measles, a highly contagious disease, can lead to serious complications, especially in infants and young children.
The initial symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes, followed by white spots inside the mouth and a reddish rash.
In the most severe cases, it can lead to pneumonia or brain inflammation, and according to the CDC, between 1 and 3 out of every 1,000 infected children die from respiratory or neurological complications.
The current outbreak had been anticipated since March, when there was an alert about the steady advance of the virus in the U.S. That month, a case of measles was confirmed at a high school in Miami, raising concerns among authorities and parents.
Shortly after, it was noted that the outbreak could have a regional impact and reach countries with migration ties or frequent flow to the U.S., including Cuba, where the Ministry of Public Health recommended strengthening epidemiological surveillance and childhood vaccination coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Measles Outbreak in the United States in 2025
What is the current situation of the measles outbreak in the United States?
The United States has reported 1,277 cases of measles in 2025, the highest number since the disease was declared eliminated in the year 2000. The outbreak began primarily in a Mennonite community in West Texas and has resulted in the first deaths from the disease in a decade.
Why has measles resurged in the United States?
The resurgence of measles in the U.S. is primarily due to the decline in vaccination rates. Only 82% of kindergarten children have received the two doses of the MMR vaccine, below the 95% threshold needed to prevent the spread. Additionally, misinformation and conflicting narratives about vaccination have contributed to the issue.
How does misinformation affect the measles outbreak in the U.S.?
Disinformation is a key enemy in the fight against measles. Some parents choose scientifically unsupported treatments, such as the use of vitamin A, instead of vaccinating their children. This happens even though the MMR vaccine is 97% effective and provides lifelong protection.
What measures are health authorities taking to control the outbreak?
Authorities are facing serious budgetary and misinformation challenges. Unlike previous outbreaks, the current one is impacted by cuts to CDC funding. However, teams of experts are being sent to the hardest-hit areas to contain the spread. Mass vaccination campaigns have also been organized in areas with low vaccination rates.
What impact could the measles outbreak have on other countries like Cuba?
The measles outbreak in the U.S. could have a regional impact, reaching countries with migratory links or frequent flow with the U.S., such as Cuba. The Cuban Ministry of Public Health has recommended strengthening epidemiological surveillance and childhood vaccination coverage to prevent the spread of the disease.
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