United States: The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has tallied an additional 17 measles infections this week, nudging the nation’s cumulative count to 1,214 confirmed cases across 36 states and territories.
While the furious pace of infections has slowed since its apex in late March, the fresh rise inches the country dangerously close to eclipsing 2019’s high-water mark of 1,274 cases — the loftiest annual figure since the US declared measles eradicated in 2000. For contrast, only 285 infections were logged during all of 2024.
This week’s bulletin also flagged two newly documented outbreaks — defined as three or more interlinked cases — lifting the 2025 outbreak total to 23. In total, nearly 9 out of 10 measles cases (89%) are now linked to active outbreaks. In the previous year, only 16 such clusters surfaced, and they were tied to 69% of that year’s total cases, according to CIDRAP News.
West Texas: The Hotbed of 2025
The most aggressive flare-up continues to burn through West Texas, where health officials have confirmed 750 cases since late January — the most severe cluster recorded this year.
Hospitalization has touched 12% of the infected (146 individuals), with children under 5 bearing the brunt — 72 of the 350 youngest patients (21%) needed inpatient care. Tragically, the toll includes three lives lost.
US adds 17 more measles cases as Georgia, Iowa report new infections
— CIDRAP (@CIDRAP) June 20, 2025
With 1,214 confirmed cases, the US is inching closer to the highest number of cases reported in a single year since the disease was eliminated from the country in 2000.https://t.co/hFbYxe4QN5 pic.twitter.com/us8XGNB067
A sobering statistic underscores this crisis: 95% of those who contracted the virus were either never inoculated or lacked verified vaccination documentation.
The Immunity Shield: Faltering
The twin-shot MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine remains the frontline safeguard — with two doses shielding 97% of recipients from infection. A single dose offers a still-robust 93% efficacy.
However, herd immunity demands 95% coverage — a threshold the US is now slipping beneath.
According to CDC figures from the 2023-2024 academic year, kindergarten MMR vaccination rates dropped to 92.7%. Amplifying concern, a JAMA-published study recently highlighted a disturbing trend: vaccination rates fell in 78% of US counties post-COVID pandemic onset, as per CIDRAP News.
Emerging Infections: Georgia and Iowa Grapple
In Georgia, the newest confirmed case involves an unvaccinated individual exposed through a familial connection to a prior infection from May. This brings Georgia’s yearly measles tally to six. Authorities from the Department of Public Health assured that the patient remained quarantined and no further external exposures occurred.
Health officials reinforced their stance with clarity, “The MMR vaccine is the strongest armor against measles, mumps, and rubella. It is both reliable and secure.”
Meanwhile, Iowa has also flagged three more cases, swelling its 2025 count to six. All involved individuals — two children and one adult from Johnson County — were unvaccinated. Each contracted the virus via close contact with another unvaccinated child who returned from international travel carrying the infection.
Officials assured that all individuals are stable in home isolation, and no further community exposure is anticipated.