Measles outbreak spans 19 states, affecting nearly 500.

The recent measles outbreak spanning 19 states has raised significant public health concerns, with nearly 500 confirmed cases reported as of March 2025. The majority of these cases are concentrated in Texas, where approximately 400 infections have been documented. Alarmingly, most affected individuals are unvaccinated or possess unknown vaccination status. This resurgence highlights a troubling trend in the U.S., as it marks the worst year for measles since 2019 .

Almost all of the cases are in unvaccinated individuals or in individuals whose vaccination status is unknown, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). At least 41 people have been hospitalized so far.

Children and teenagers between ages 5 and 17 make up the majority of cases at 164, followed by children ages 4 and under comprising 131 cases, according to the data.

It comes as the CDC has so far confirmed 483 measles cases this year in at least 19 states: Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and Washington

The MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine is effective at preventing spread of the virus, but childhood vaccination rates have dropped as more families claim exemptions for religious or personal reasons. The first MMR shot is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old and the second between 4 and 6 years old.

Measles isn’t usually deadly, but it can have serious complications, especially for young children. Among kids with measles, about 1 in every 20 develops pneumonia, which can be fatal. Rare cases also suffer swelling of the brain called encephalitis — which can lead to convulsions, deafness or intellectual disability.

Fourteen percent of cases this year have required hospitalization, the CDC says. Most of those hospitalized have been children.

The demographic most impacted by this outbreak includes children and teenagers aged 4 to 17. This age group represents a substantial percentage of those infected, raising concerns about the implications for public health policy and vaccination programs. Furthermore, reports indicate that some unvaccinated children hospitalized in Texas may be experiencing vitamin A toxicity due to misguided parental interventions aimed at treating or preventing measles. Such actions underscore the importance of accurate public health messaging regarding vaccinations.

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Sarah H

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