“Image Credit: Getty Images Although measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, a growing outbreak in 2025 has sparked nationwide concern. Initially concentrated in Texas, the outbreak has now spread to multiple states, including New York, California, and New Jersey. As of April 2025, two measles-related deaths have been confirmed, per the CDC”, — write: hollywoodlife.com
Image Credit: Getty Images Although measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, a growing outbreak in 2025 has sparked nationwide concern. Initially concentrated in Texas, the outbreak has now spread to multiple states, including New York, California, and New Jersey. As of April 2025, two measles-related deaths have been confirmed, per the CDC, and one is still under investigation. This marks the deadliest resurgence of the virus in the U.S. in over two decades.
While most Americans have received the MMR vaccine—which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella—questions remain about breakthrough cases and overall protection. Below, we break down what you need to know about the current measles outbreak and how to stay protected, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
What Is Measles? According to the CDC, measles (also known as rubeola) is a “very contagious” illness. If one person is infected, up to 9 or 10 people nearby can contract it if they are not protected. The CDC notes that the infection spreads quickly through the air when the infected person coughs or sneezes, potentially infecting others in the same room even up to two hours after the infected individual has left.
The symptoms of measles primarily include a red rash, along with a high fever that can reach up to 104°F, coughing, runny nose, and red or watery eyes.
How Many Measles Cases Have Been Reported in the U.S. in 2025? There have been around 800 measles cases recorded in three months, according to the CDC—representing the second-highest annual total the country has seen in a decade, only behind 2019, which saw over 1,200 cases.
The patient is under the age of 5, lives in Suffolk County and is unvaccinated, according to the Suffolk County Department of Health Services. https://t.co/URXBTM5s9B pic.twitter.com/i0NoqATaiV
— CBS New York (@CBSNewYork) March 12, 2025
The current figure is more than likely an undercount due to delays in states reporting cases to the federal health agency.
How Many People Have Died from Measles in the U.S. in 2025? So far, two children—an 8-year-old girl and a 6-year-old girl—have died from measles in Texas. A third unvaccinated person in New Mexico also died after testing positive for the virus, though officials have not yet confirmed whether measles was the direct cause of death.
The most recent death occurred on April 3, 2025, when the 6-year-old girl died from “measles pulmonary failure” at a hospital in Lubbock, Texas, according to records obtained by The New York Times. The earlier child fatality happened in February 2025, also in West Texas.
What Is the MMR Vaccine? The MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine is administered in two doses. According to the CDC, the vaccine is 97 percent effective in preventing measles, while receiving just one dose provides 93 percent effectiveness in prevention.
Can You Get Measles if You Got the Vaccine? Yes, it is possible to contract measles even if you’ve been vaccinated, but it is rare, according to the CDC. About 3 out of 100 vaccinated individuals may still get the virus when exposed. However, their symptoms tend to be milder compared to those who have not received the two-dose vaccine.
Is There a Cure for Measles? No, there is no cure or specific treatment for measles once a person contracts it. Individuals at risk of severe complications may require hospitalization if they become infected.
Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC emphasize that vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles.