In a troubling turn of events, measles is making an unexpected and dangerous comeback in the United States. As of the first week of April 2025, more than 500 cases have been reported in Texas alone, with over 100 additional cases scattered across 21 other states. Health officials say this is the largest outbreak the country has seen since 2019, when measles cases peaked at 1,274.
Tragically, the current outbreak has already claimed the lives of two unvaccinated children, underscoring just how serious and preventable this disease can be.
What’s Behind the Rise?
Experts point to a slow but steady decline in childhood vaccination rates as one of the driving forces behind the surge in measles cases. According to the CDC, vaccination rates among U.S. kindergarteners have dropped from 95.2% in the 2019-2020 school year to just 92.7% in 2023-2024. That drop might not sound dramatic, but when it comes to measles, even a small dip can have serious consequences.
Why? Because measles is one of the most contagious viruses on the planet. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and it can linger in a room for up to two hours after they’ve left. To keep a community safe from an outbreak, around 95% of people need to be vaccinated—a threshold known as herd immunity. When vaccination rates fall below that line, pockets of vulnerability open up, and measles can spread quickly.
A Preventable Problem
What makes this outbreak especially frustrating for public health experts is that measles is entirely preventable. The MMR vaccine (which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella) is highly effective, with two doses offering about 97% protection. It’s a shot that’s been widely available for decades—and yet, misinformation, vaccine hesitancy, and access issues continue to erode confidence and uptake.
The recent deaths of two children who were not vaccinated have reignited conversations around the importance of immunization. While most kids in the U.S. do receive their shots, the small percentage who don’t—whether for medical, religious, or personal reasons—can act as fuel for outbreaks, particularly when they cluster in specific communities or schools.
What the CDC Is Saying
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is monitoring the outbreak closely and has committed to updating case counts every Friday. Officials are urging parents to check their children’s immunization records and make sure they’re up to date, especially with summer travel season approaching—a time when contagious diseases can spread rapidly across state lines.
“This isn’t just about individual choice—it’s about community protection,” one CDC official noted during a recent briefing. “When someone chooses not to vaccinate, they’re not only putting themselves at risk, but also those who can’t get vaccinated due to age or medical conditions.”
What You Can Do Now
If you’re a parent, caregiver, or just someone who wants to help stop the spread, there are a few simple but important steps you can take:
- Check your vaccination status (and your family’s). If you’re unsure, your doctor can order a blood test to confirm immunity.
- Stay informed. Keep an eye on updates from trusted public health sources like the CDC or your local health department.
- Be cautious if measles is reported in your area. If you’re exposed and not immune, you may need to quarantine to avoid infecting others.
The return of measles isn’t just a Texas story—it’s a national wake-up call. As public health officials race to contain the outbreak, it’s a good time for all of us to remember that the power to protect our communities often comes down to a simple decision: roll up your sleeve and get vaccinated.
