As of 10:39 PM PST on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, the United States is grappling with a troubling resurgence of measles, a highly contagious viral disease once thought to be a relic of the past. With cases surging across multiple states, public health officials are sounding the alarm, pointing to declining vaccination rates and international travel as key drivers of this preventable crisis.
This article dives into the latest developments, the underlying causes, and the implications for a nation that declared measles eliminated over two decades ago—all grounded in real-time data and critical analysis.
Measles in 2025
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a staggering 93 confirmed measles cases across eight jurisdictions by February 20, 2025, including Alaska, California, Georgia, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, Rhode Island, and Texas.
However, the situation has escalated rapidly in the past week, particularly in Texas, where an outbreak in the South Plains region has ballooned to over 130 cases across seven counties, with neighboring New Mexico reporting additional infections.
Tragically, a child in West Texas has died—the first measles-related death in the U.S. in a decade—underscoring the gravity of this outbreak, now the state’s largest in nearly 30 years.
Nationwide, three outbreaks (defined as three or more related cases) have been identified in 2025 so far, with 92% of cases linked to these clusters. For context, 2024 saw 285 cases and 16 outbreaks, meaning this year’s pace is alarmingly accelerated.
Texas alone accounts for a significant portion, with 48 confirmed cases in Gaines County as of mid-February, all among unvaccinated individuals, and 25% requiring hospitalization. Posts on X reflect growing public concern, with some estimating 200–300 Texans could be infected as the disease spreads unchecked in under-vaccinated communities.
What Is Measles, and Why Is It Back?
Measles is caused by a virus that spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, lingering for up to two hours in the environment. Symptoms start with fever, cough, runny nose, and red eyes, followed by a distinctive rash that spreads from the face downward.
While most recover, complications like pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling), and even death can occur, especially in young children and the unvaccinated. Before the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine was introduced in 1963, millions of Americans contracted measles annually, with hundreds dying each year.
The U.S. declared measles eliminated in 2000, meaning no sustained local transmission occurred, thanks to widespread vaccination. The MMR vaccine, given in two doses (first at 12–15 months, second at 4–6 years), is 93% effective with one dose and 97% with two.
Yet, despite this triumph, measles is roaring back. Why? The answer lies in a toxic mix of vaccine hesitancy, global travel, and pockets of low immunization.
The Texas Outbreak
Texas is the epicenter of the current crisis, with the South Plains outbreak centered in Gaines County. By February 22, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported 90 cases, though real-time updates suggest the tally now exceeds 130, spilling into New Mexico’s Lea County.
Strikingly, 95% of these cases involve unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status. Health officials note the outbreak is concentrated in a “close-knit, undervaccinated Mennonite community,” where religious or personal beliefs have fueled vaccine refusal.
Vaccination exemptions in Gaines County paint a stark picture: in 2013, 7.5% of kindergarteners had exemptions; by 2023–2024, that figure soared to over 17.5%, one of Texas’s highest rates. Among K-12 students at Loop ISD in the county, nearly 48% had exemptions last year.
This erosion of herd immunity—typically requiring 95% vaccination coverage to halt measles spread—has left the region ripe for an outbreak. The tragic death of a child this week, reported by Reuters, highlights the human cost of this gap.
Beyond Texas
Texas isn’t alone. Cases in Georgia, New York City, and elsewhere trace back to international travelers bringing measles from regions where it remains endemic—Africa, Eastern Mediterranean, and Europe saw 10.3 million cases in 2023.
Globally, 22 million children missed their first MMR dose that year, per the World Health Organization (WHO), driving a 20% case increase. In the U.S., imported cases ignite outbreaks in under-vaccinated pockets, a pattern seen in 2019 when nearly 1,300 cases threatened the nation’s elimination status.
Nationally, MMR vaccination rates among kindergarteners have slipped from 95.2% in 2019–2020 to 92.7% in 2023–2024, leaving 280,000 children vulnerable. Some areas, like Gaines County (around 80%), fare far worse.
Experts warn this decline, fueled by misinformation—think the debunked 1998 Wakefield study linking MMR to autism—and pandemic-disrupted healthcare access, is a ticking time bomb. X posts echo this, with users decrying anti-vaccine sentiment as cases climb.
Critical Lens
While the establishment blames vaccine hesitancy, a deeper look reveals nuances. Yes, unvaccinated individuals dominate case counts, but breakthrough infections (cases in vaccinated people) occur, albeit rarely—about 5% of 2025 cases, consistent with past years.
This aligns with the vaccine’s 97% efficacy: it’s not perfect, especially in high-exposure settings. Moreover, framing this as solely an “anti-vax” issue oversimplifies things. Economic barriers, distrust in institutions post-COVID, and lack of outreach to insular communities like the Mennonites also play roles—factors often glossed over in mainstream reports.
Public health responses, like Chicago’s 2024 mandate for MMR shots in migrant shelters after 60+ cases, show proactive steps. Yet, Texas officials’ hesitance to intervene—some citing personal freedom—raises questions about balancing rights and public safety. The CDC’s modeling suggests a 4% chance of over 1,000 cases in 2025 if trends persist, a sobering prospect.
The measles resurgence is a wake-up call. Vaccination clinics are ramping up in Texas and New Mexico, but rebuilding trust and coverage will take time. For individuals, the message is clear: ensure you and your kids are vaccinated—adults born before 1957 likely have natural immunity, but others should confirm their status. Travelers, especially, need protection, as global cases rise.