United States: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed that 483 cases of measles have been reported across 20 US jurisdictions so far this year, with Texas experiencing the largest outbreak. Nationwide, 70 individuals have required hospitalisation due to the highly contagious virus.
This marks a significant increase compared to the 285 cases recorded for the entire year of 2024. The CDC stated that 97 percent of those infected this year were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status, with 75 percent of cases affecting individuals under the age of 19.
Texas remains the hardest-hit state, reporting 400 measles cases as of March 28. New Mexico, another outbreak hotspot, has documented 44 cases, primarily in Lea County, which borders Texas’ Gaines County—considered the epicentre of the current surge.
The CDC has attributed recent outbreaks in part to vaccine hesitancy among parents. Despite this, the agency maintains that the risk of widespread measles transmission in the US remains low.
US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a long-time critic of vaccine mandates, recognised the severity of the outbreak and stated that the federal government is providing resources, including vaccines. However, reports have surfaced of children suffering complications such as liver damage after receiving excessive doses of vitamin A at home—an unproven treatment promoted by vaccine sceptics, including Kennedy.
The 20 affected jurisdictions include Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York state, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Washington state.
The CDC continues to track probable cases reported by local health departments, though only confirmed cases are reflected in its official tally.
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