Measles, one of the world’s most contagious diseases, is making a major comeback in the United States. Health officials have reported 1,319 confirmed cases as of July 22, 2025, the most in a single year since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000.
The surge is being closely tracked by NBC News, which compiles data from state health departments and updates case counts weekly.
Texas Reports Majority of U.S. Measles Cases
So far, Texas accounts for nearly 60% of all reported measles infections nationwide. Health officials in the state have confirmed over 760 cases, most of which occurred in communities with low vaccination rates. The outbreak has also led to two child deaths in the state.
Here’s a breakdown of measles cases by state:
| State | Confirmed Cases (2025) | % of U.S. Total | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 762 | 58% | 2 |
| New Mexico | 95 | 7% | 1 |
| Kansas | 86 | 6% | 0 |
| North Dakota | 34 | 3% | 0 |
| Ohio | 34 | 3% | 0 |
| Michigan | 12 | 1% | 0 |
| Indiana | 8 | <1% | 0 |
| Iowa | 6 | <1% | 0 |
| Illinois | 10 | <1% | 0 |
| Other States | 272 | 21% | — |
Total: 1,319 confirmed cases, 3 deaths
Why Measles Is Back
The United States eliminated measles in 2000, which means there was no ongoing transmission of the virus for at least 12 months. While occasional outbreaks have happened since then, this year’s rise is the largest in decades.
Most of the 2025 cases have occurred in people who were not vaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown. The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is highly effective, but experts say vaccination rates are falling below the level needed for herd immunity.
MMR coverage among kindergartners dropped to about 92.7%, below the 95% target.
Around 95–96% of 2025 measles cases involved people who had not received both vaccine doses.
About 6% of the cases were linked to international travel.
Past vs. Present: What the Numbers Show
Before the measles vaccine was introduced in 1963, the U.S. reported 450,000 cases annually and hundreds of deaths. The vaccine changed everything. By 1990, cases had dropped to about 27,000—and by 2000, they were nearly gone.
But today’s resurgence serves as a warning. In 2019, the U.S. reported 1,274 measles cases, mostly from large outbreaks in New York. The 2025 count has already passed that number and continues to grow.
Health Officials Urge Vaccination
Health experts are urging parents and adults to check their vaccination status and make sure children receive the recommended two doses of the MMR vaccine. The first dose is usually given at 12–15 months, and the second at 4–6 years old. If traveling internationally, infants as young as 6 months may be eligible for early vaccination.
Dr. Melanie Swift, an infectious disease specialist, said:
“Measles is extremely contagious. It only takes one unvaccinated person in a community to spark an outbreak. Vaccination is still our best defense.”
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