US measles outbreak: 2025’s record-breaking year is likely just the start of a deadly comeback
CNN • • health
Key Points:
- The US has experienced continuous measles outbreaks over the past year, with over 2,200 confirmed cases in 2025 and at least 171 cases in the first two weeks of 2026, threatening the country's measles elimination status held since 2000.
- Texas had the largest recent outbreak with over 760 cases and two child deaths before declaring it over in August, while significant outbreaks continue in South Carolina and the Utah-Arizona border regions.
- More than 95% of measles cases occurred in unvaccinated individuals, highlighting persistent vaccine hesitancy and exemption increases, with philosophical or personal belief objections being the most common reasons cited by parents.
- Experts warn that the US public health system is struggling to
