The United States is grappling with its worst measles outbreak in over two decades, with more than 1,563 confirmed cases reported since January 2025—a staggering figure not seen since the disease was declared eliminated in the country in 2000. While a deadly outbreak in Texas concluded in August, new clusters have emerged in Ohio, Minnesota, and South Carolina, fueling concerns among public health officials.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the country has averaged 27 new measles cases per week since late August. The outbreak along the Arizona-Utah border has become the third large-scale event this year, with over 90 confirmed cases—59 in Arizona and 36 in Utah. Utah’s state epidemiologist, Dr. Leisha Nolen, warned that the virus is spreading beyond its initial hotspots. “We’re starting to see infections even at the very north end of our state,” she said. “I suspect we’re in the middle of it”.
South Carolina is facing a particularly troubling situation, with more than 150 unvaccinated children quarantined in Spartanburg County following exposure at two schools. Dr. Linda Bell, the state’s epidemiologist, confirmed that these students are being excluded from school until the risk of transmission subsides. “About 90% of exposed individuals without immunity could become infected,” she cautioned.
Experts attribute the surge in cases to declining vaccination rates. Dr. Scott Harris, president of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, emphasized that outbreaks occur only when communities have large numbers of unvaccinated individuals. “If parents weren’t skeptical about vaccines, this wouldn’t be a story,” he said. CDC data shows that MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine coverage among kindergartners dropped to 92.5% last year—below the 95% threshold needed to prevent outbreaks.
In Utah, public health officials are using wastewater surveillance to detect virus levels and identify areas with low vaccination coverage. Dr. Nolen noted that misinformation has contributed to vaccine hesitancy, but awareness campaigns have led to modest improvements in immunization rates.
The outbreak has placed immense strain on local health departments. Dr. Caitlin Rivers, director of the Center for Outbreak Response Innovation at Johns Hopkins, described the response effort as “incredibly expensive and demanding.” She added that budget constraints and staff shortages are hampering efforts to contain the virus. “Even well-resourced departments are stretched thin,” she said.
Federal support has been inconsistent. Although the CDC continues to update its measles tracker during the government shutdown, other surveillance systems have stalled. A CDC statement confirmed that critical public health functions are still operational, but response times may be slower due to funding lapses.
Some experts believe the official case count may significantly underestimate the true scale of the outbreak. Dr. Paul Offit of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia suggested that the real number could be closer to 5,000 cases. He criticized the federal response, saying, “We should have an administration that stands up clearly and definitively and holds press conferences saying, ‘Vaccinate your children. These are preventable illnesses’.
The role of U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has come under scrutiny. While HHS stated that Kennedy supports vaccination and has encouraged action to prevent outbreaks, critics argue that his promotion of alternative therapies and ambiguous messaging has undermined public trust. A recent poll revealed widespread disapproval of his handling of vaccine policy.
As measles continues to spread across 42 states, the situation underscores the fragility of herd immunity and the consequences of vaccine skepticism. Public health officials warn that without urgent action to restore vaccination coverage, the U.S. risks reversing decades of progress in disease prevention.
