January 2026 – Measles cases have surpassed another milestone with more cases in 2025 than any year since 1991.
Since last summer, case counts had been at the highest levels since 1992. However, the final 2025 tally released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows 2,144 confirmed cases, topping the 1992 count of 2,126. Experts say cases likely are significantly undercounted as many go unreported.
Cases were reported in 45 jurisdictions in 2025, and there were 49 outbreaks, compared to 16 the previous year, according to the CDC. About 69% of the confirmed cases were among children and teens. Across all ages, 11% of patients were hospitalized and three people died, including two children.
About 93% of confirmed measles cases were among people who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown.
In South Carolina, there have been 214 cases since July 9, 2025, most of which are linked to an ongoing outbreak in Spartanburg County. Recent public exposures include several elementary schools and churches. There are 144 people in quarantine and seven in isolation, according to state health officials.
Arizona and Utah also have been battling outbreaks, ending the year with 214 and 175 cases, respectively.
The U.S. eliminated measles in 2000, but as misinformation spreads, vaccination rates have gone down, and measles cases have gone up. Whether the country loses its elimination status will depend on whether the virus strain from the outbreak that began in West Texas in mid-January 2025 has continued to cause cases in the U.S. without interruption for at least 12 months. Canada lost its measles elimination status in November 2025.
The AAP recommends ensuring patients are covered with a two-dose measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination series. Under routine recommendations, the doses are given at ages 12-15 months and 4-6 years. One dose of MMR is 93% effective against measles, and two doses are 97% effective.
Earlier this week, the CDC announced an overhaul of its childhood immunization schedule that removes universal recommendations from six childhood vaccines without scientific evidence for doing so. While the CDC continues to recommend universal MMR vaccination, AAP President Andrew D. Racine, M.D., Ph.D., FAAP, said changing the recommendations for other vaccines “will sow further chaos and confusion and erode confidence in immunizations.”
