Measles cases rising in US, health officials say: Here's why

The U.S. is once again seeing an uptick in measles cases, with five states confirming measles cases and a bigger outbreak in West Texas. 

It’s the second consecutive year that the U.S. is reporting a rise in cases. 

Where are measles cases being reported? 

Measles cases have been reported in Alaska, Georgia, New York, Rhode Island and Texas, according to the CDC. All of the people infected are unvaccinated. 

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West Texas measles outbreak

Local perspective:

The largest outbreak so far is in West Texas, where 24 measles cases have been confirmed within the last two weeks. Gaines County, a small county in West Texas, has one of the highest rates of vaccine exemptions in the state.

In neighboring Lea County, New Mexico, residents were alerted Tuesday to the measles infection of an unvaccinated teenager, as well as the possible exposure of more people in Lovington at a hospital emergency room and sixth grade school gymnasium.

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Texas law allows children to get an exemption from school vaccines for reasons of conscience, including religious beliefs. The percentage of kids with exemptions has risen over the last decade. 

What is measles? 

The backstory:

Measles is a highly contagious virus that can survive in the air for up to two hours. Up to 9 out of 10 people who are susceptible will get the virus if exposed, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Before the vaccine was introduced in 1963, the U.S. saw some 3 million to 4 million cases per year. Now, it’s usually fewer than 200 in a normal year.

How do you protect yourself from measles?

What you can do:

Two doses of the MMR vaccine are recommended by doctors as the best way to protect against measles, mumps, and rubella. Children can also receive two doses of MMRV vaccine instead.

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MMR & MMRV vaccines usually protect people for life against measles and rubella, but immunity against mumps may decrease over time. 

How many measles cases did the US have in 2024? 

The U.S. saw a rise in measles cases in 2024, including an outbreak in Chicago that sickened more than 60.

By the numbers:

There were 285 measles cases reported in the U.S. in 2024. Cases were reported in 32 states and Washington, D.C., according to the CDC. Of those, 120 were in children younger than five, 88 were in people aged 5-19, and 77 people who got measles were 20 years old or older.