More than 1,000 measles cases have been recorded across the United States in 2025, based on a Pearl Digest analysis. This marks only the second time case numbers have reached this level since the disease was declared eliminated nationwide 25 years ago. A major outbreak spanning multiple states continues to grow, raising concerns that this year could become the worst for measles since 2000.
As of Wednesday, at least 1,002 infections have been documented, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state health agencies compiled by Pearl Digest. Over 800 of these cases are linked to an outbreak originating in West Texas, which has spread to New Mexico, Oklahoma, and potentially Kansas. Health officials expect additional cases to be reported from these states by Friday.
Experts warn the actual number of infections is likely much higher, as many cases are believed to be going unreported.
Since measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, an average of approximately 180 cases have been reported annually, according to data from the CDC.
Since measles was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, 2019 has been the only other year with more than 1,000 reported cases, driven by significant outbreaks in New York City and a nearby suburb. That year saw 1,274 confirmed cases, just 272 more than have already been reported in the first five months of 2025, according to the CDC.
The CDC updates measles case counts every Friday, though it no longer provides case breakdowns by state, and its national totals may not reflect the most recent figures from individual states.
As of the latest update Friday, the CDC reported 935 measles cases nationwide. Around 13% of those cases have led to hospitalization, and only about 4% involved individuals who had received at least one dose of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. So far this year, there have been three reported measles-related deaths—matching the total number of deaths recorded over the previous 20 years.
At least 12 outbreaks have occurred across the U.S. in 2025, defined by the CDC as clusters of three or more related cases. Besides the major outbreak in West Texas, other affected states include Ohio, with over 30 cases, as well as Montana and Michigan.
