Monday, 25 May 2026
Measles cases surge to highest levels in US since 2000 elimination
Measles infections in the United States have soared to their highest numbers since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000. According to NBC News’ compilation of state health department data, there have been 1,277 reported cases since the beginning of the year.
For the first time in a decade, the U.S. has also recorded measles-related deaths: two unvaccinated children in Texas and one unvaccinated adult in New Mexico.
For 25 years, measles had been considered eliminated across the country, defined by the absence of year-long continuous transmission. Nevertheless, periodic outbreaks persist—including a significant surge earlier this year within a Mennonite community in West Texas. Gaines County, at the heart of this outbreak, has particularly low immunization rates; as of the 2023-24 school year, only 82% of kindergarteners had received the recommended two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine—far below the 95% needed to prevent outbreaks.
Dr. David Sugerman, a senior scientist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), explained at an April meeting of the agency’s vaccine advisory committee that the U.S. would lose its measles elimination status only if the virus continues to circulate until January 20 of next year.
The bulk of this year’s measles cases are tied to the Southwest outbreak, with Texas alone accounting for more than 700 cases. Smaller outbreaks, many sparked by international travel, have emerged elsewhere around the country.
Falling vaccination rates both in the U.S. and globally are fueling measles’ resurgence. During the 2023-24 school year, less than 93% of American kindergarteners were fully vaccinated with two MMR doses, down from 95% in 2019-20.
The current situation in West Texas is reminiscent of the 2019 outbreak among Orthodox Jewish communities in New York, which also had low vaccination rates and resulted in 1,274 cases nationwide. Aggressive vaccination campaigns, including a citywide mandate and the administration of 60,000 vaccines in hard-hit neighborhoods, successfully curbed that outbreak.
“We’re striving to replicate New York’s remarkable efforts,” said Sugerman, while pointing out that funding constraints, especially following the recent loss of COVID-19 grant money, have made such comprehensive responses challenging in Texas.
Last month, the CDC cut $11.4 billion in COVID-19 funding that had supported state responses to outbreaks. Each measles case now costs between $30,000 and $50,000 to manage, Sugerman noted, with expenses accumulating rapidly.