(NEXSTAR) – North Dakota is the latest state to report a measles outbreak, confirming its first cases of the highly contagious virus in 14 years.
Nationwide, at least 935 cases of measles have been confirmed so far this year – triple the total amount we saw in 2024. More "probable" measles cases are under investigation but not yet confirmed.
While 30 states are reporting cases, only 11 have official outbreaks. An outbreak is defined as three or more cases of measles that are related.
Deadly illness spreading twice as fast in 2025, surpasses 9,000 casesThe map below shows where measles cases are reported (in orange) and where outbreaks have been confirmed (in red).
If the spread of measles continues as it has been, the U.S. risks losing its “measles elimination status,” a designation the country has had for 25 years.
The virus is spreading quickest through communities with large numbers of unvaccinated or undervaccinated people. Dr. William Moss, an epidemiology professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and director of the school’s International Vaccine Access Center, likened recent measles activity to a forest fire.
“I like to think of this like a forest fire with sparks spreading out. If those sparks land in a community with low vaccine coverage, we’re going to see a larger measles outbreak. If it lands in a community with high vaccine coverage, we may only see one or a few cases,” he said.
Do you need a REAL ID before Wednesday’s enforcement deadline? Here’s what to knowTwo unvaccinated elementary school-aged children died from measles-related illnesses in West Texas, as did an adult in New Mexico who was not vaccinated.
In North Dakota, all nine cases are in Williams County on the state's border with Montana. The state health department said Monday that three of the confirmed cases are linked to the first case — an unvaccinated child who health officials believe got it from an out-of-state visitor.
The other five cases, announced Tuesday, were people who were not vaccinated and did not have contact with the other cases, causing concern about community transmission. The state health department said four people diagnosed with measles attended classes while infectious at a Williston elementary school, middle school and high school.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( MAP: 11th state confirms measles outbreak as virus spreads )
Also on site :