The United States has confirmed 4,588 measles cases so far this year, surpassing double the previous year’s total. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 178 new cases in the latest week, with 508 confirmed infections over the past two weeks—exceeding the combined total from 2022 through 2024. Currently, 43 measles outbreaks are occurring across the country. Children represent a significant portion of cases, with 17% under age 5 and 42% between ages 5 and 19. Approximately 10% of all cases required hospitalization, rising to 16% for children under 5. The vast majority of cases, at 96%, involved people who were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status.
Pennsylvania accounts for nearly 30% of the nation’s measles cases, with 1,338 confirmed infections across 44 counties and has reported five deaths, with a sixth under investigation. Other heavily affected states include Ohio, Wisconsin, Kentucky, and New York. An infectious disease expert estimates the actual number of cases since early 2025 may exceed 20,000 due to underreporting. If current trends continue, the United States may lose its measles elimination status, which was declared in 2000. State health departments have responded by administering thousands of vaccinations through pop-up clinics in affected communities.
Source: Read the full story at CIDRAP
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