U.S. Measles Cases Reach Post-2000 High

July 14, 2025

The U.S. this month reached a new “post-elimination” record for measles cases, while public health officials continue to monitor the spread of the virus domestically and internationally.

Here’s what you need to know:

• State of the spread:  There have been 1,288 cases in 39 U.S. states and jurisdictions. This is the highest number since the disease was declared eradicated during 2000, passing the 2019 high of 1,275.
  • About 13 percent of U.S. cases have required hospitalization, and there have been three deaths reported due to the virus.
  • Additional outbreaks in Canada and Mexico have been tied to small networks of unvaccinated communities.
• By state:  A majority of the outbreak stems from cases reported earlier this year in Texas, which has tallied nearly 800 cases.
  • Per local health department reports, there have been new recent cases reported in North Dakota, Kansas, and New Jersey.
  • Pennsylvania has reported 13 cases but none in the last two weeks.
• Vaccination rates:  Following the pandemic, school-age vaccination rates continue to trend down to below 93 percent and 93.5 in Pennsylvania for the 2023–2024 school year.
  • Both the commonwealth and the U.S. had been above the 95 percent threshold for these vaccinations during the 2019–2020 school year. This vaccination threshold is important for so-called “herd immunity,” public health officials say.
• The bottom line:  “At local levels, vaccine coverage rates may vary considerably, and pockets of unvaccinated people can exist in states with high vaccination coverage. When measles gets into communities of unvaccinated people in the United States, outbreaks can occur,” the CDC notes.

HAP continues to monitor public health trends and provide updates to members. Additional resources, including tools for community members and health care providers, are available online.