Measles outbreaks in West Texas and New Mexico at the moment are as much as practically 320 instances, and two unvaccinated folks have died from measles-related causes.
Measles is attributable to a extremely contagious virus that’s airborne and spreads simply when an contaminated particular person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It’s preventable by way of vaccines, and has been thought of eradicated from the U.S. since 2000.
As of Friday, the U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention mentioned its rely of confirmed measles instances within the U.S. surpassed 2024. Right here’s what else you need to know about measles in the U.S.
What number of measles instances are there in Texas and New Mexico?
Texas state well being officers mentioned Tuesday there have been 20 new instances of measles since final week, bringing the full to 279 throughout 11 counties — most in West Texas. Two extra folks had been hospitalized, for a complete of 36.
New Mexico well being officers introduced three new instances Tuesday, bringing the state’s complete to 38. A lot of the instances are in Lea County, the place two folks have been hospitalized, and the opposite instances are in Eddy County.
Oklahoma’s state well being division reported two possible instances of measles final week, saying they’re “related” with the West Texas and New Mexico outbreaks.
A school-age child died of measles in Texas final month, and New Mexico reported its first measles-related death in an adult final week.
The place else is measles exhibiting up within the U.S.?
Measles instances have been reported in Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.
The U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention defines an outbreak as three or extra associated instances — and there have been three clusters that certified as outbreaks in 2025.
Within the U.S., instances and outbreaks are typically traced to someone who caught the disease abroad. It will probably then unfold, particularly in communities with low vaccination charges. In 2019, the U.S. noticed 1,274 instances and virtually misplaced its standing of getting eradicated measles.
Jan Sonnenmair through Getty Photographs
Do you want an MMR booster?
One of the best ways to keep away from measles is to get the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The primary shot is really helpful for kids between 12 and 15 months outdated and the second between 4 and 6 years outdated.
Individuals at excessive threat for an infection who received the pictures a few years in the past might wish to take into account getting a booster in the event that they reside in an space with an outbreak, mentioned Scott Weaver with the World Virus Community, a global coalition. These might embody members of the family residing with somebody who has measles or these particularly susceptible to respiratory illnesses due to underlying medical situations.
Adults with “presumptive proof of immunity” typically don’t want measles pictures now, the CDC mentioned. Standards embody written documentation of ample vaccination earlier in life, lab affirmation of previous an infection or being born earlier than 1957, when most individuals had been more likely to be contaminated naturally.
A health care provider can order a lab check known as an MMR titer to test your ranges of measles antibodies, however well being consultants don’t at all times suggest this route and insurance coverage protection can differ.
Getting one other MMR shot is innocent if there are considerations about waning immunity, the CDC says.
Individuals who have documentation of receiving a reside measles vaccine within the Sixties don’t must be revaccinated, however individuals who had been immunized earlier than 1968 with an ineffective measles vaccine made out of “killed” virus needs to be revaccinated with at the very least one dose, the company mentioned. That additionally contains individuals who don’t know which kind they received.
What are the signs of measles?
Measles first infects the respiratory tract, then spreads all through the physique, inflicting a excessive fever, runny nostril, cough, pink, watery eyes and a rash.
The rash typically seems three to 5 days after the primary signs, starting as flat pink spots on the face after which spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and ft. When the rash seems, the fever might spike over 104 levels Fahrenheit, in keeping with the CDC.
Most children will get better from measles, however an infection can result in dangerous complications equivalent to pneumonia, blindness, mind swelling and loss of life.
How are you going to deal with measles?
There’s no particular remedy for measles, so docs typically attempt to alleviate signs, stop problems and hold sufferers comfy.
Why do vaccination charges matter?
In communities with excessive vaccination charges — above 95% — illnesses like measles have a tougher time spreading by way of communities. That is known as “herd immunity.”
However childhood vaccination charges have declined nationwide for the reason that pandemic and extra dad and mom are claiming spiritual or private conscience waivers to exempt their youngsters from required pictures.
The U.S. noticed a rise in measles cases in 2024, together with an outbreak in Chicago that sickened more than 60.
AP Science Author Laura Ungar contributed to this report.
The Related Press Well being and Science Division receives help from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Instructional Media Group and the Robert Wooden Johnson Basis. The AP is solely accountable for all content material.
