Dec 30, 2025 - Health

U.S. measles cases reach highest level in over 30 years: CDC

Julianna Bragg

A vial of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella vaccination for children with a light purple and blue cap is held between a person's thumb and index finger — A vial of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccination for children. Photo: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty Images

The number of recorded measles cases in the U.S. during 2025 has exceeded 2,000 for the first time in more than 30 years, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Why it matters: This year's surge in cases and prolonged outbreaks could cause the U.S. to lose its globally recognized measles "elimination status" for the first time in decades by the end of January 2026.

The outbreaks come amid Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s efforts to downplay the risks of measles and spread misleading claims about the vaccine, while suggesting other alternatives without evidence.

By the numbers: There were 2,012 measles cases reported nationwide as of Dec. 23, per the CDC. Of those cases, 1,988 were reported across 44 jurisdictions.

The CDC says 87% of those cases came from 50 different outbreaks, and some 93% of those infected were either unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status.
Texas has reported the highest number of cases this year (803), followed by Arizona (187) and South Carolina (156).

The intrigue: Only 285 confirmed measles cases were reported in 2024.

More from Axios:

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to note South Carolina has the third highest number of measles cases (not North Carolina).

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U.S. measles cases reach highest level in over 30 years: CDC

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