CDC Reports Over 900 Measles Cases in the U.S.
This year, three deaths from measles have been confirmed in the United States, along with one in Mexico.
As of May 1, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a total of 935 confirmed measles cases in the United States.
The CDC has reported 12 outbreaks, defined as three or more related cases, so far this year.
These cases are part of ongoing measles outbreaks across North America, which have seen over 2,500 cases reported in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
The current wave of measles first emerged in Ontario, Canada, last fall before spreading to the United States, where cases were identified in Texas and New Mexico in late January. By mid-February, the virus had reached Chihuahua, Mexico.
“Diseases know no borders,” stated Dr. Hector Ocaranza, El Paso’s chief public health official. “As people become mobile, they may seek medical attention in El Paso while residing in Juarez.”
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The cross-border transmission of the virus is particularly notable in border communities. El Paso, Texas, has recorded 38 cases, the highest count in Texas outside of West Texas. Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, has confirmed 14 cases as of April 29.
Ontario, Canada, has reported 1,020 cases up to April 23. Meanwhile, Chihuahua, Mexico, has documented 786 cases as of April 30, according to local health ministries.
Key factors in cross-border transmission have been identified among specific Mennonite Christian communities. Health officials in Chihuahua traced the first case to an 8-year-old Mennonite child who visited relatives in Seminole, Texas, contracted the virus, and then spread it at school.
Outbreaks Widen
The outbreak has extended beyond its initial locations, with active outbreaks now occurring in 12 states, including Texas, New Mexico, Indiana, Michigan, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Kansas.
In Michigan, an outbreak of four cases in Montcalm County has been directly linked to the outbreak in Ontario, as noted by Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, the state’s chief medical executive.
“Considering measles like a forest fire, we have embers floating in the air right now. Whether these embers spark another wildfire depends on where they land,” Bagdasarian stated.
According to the CDC, 93 percent of confirmed U.S. cases in 2025 are associated with outbreaks. So far this year, 12 outbreaks have been reported, compared to 16 in 2024.
Among the 935 U.S. cases in 2025, 30 percent are under 5 years old, 38 percent are between 5 and 19, 30 percent are aged 20 or older, and 1 percent have an unknown age. Thirteen percent of cases (121 of 935) have required hospitalization, with the highest hospitalization rate occurring among children under 5 years old (23 percent).
This year, there have been three confirmed measles deaths in the United States and one in Mexico.
Health departments are collaborating across borders to tackle the outbreaks. In El Paso, vaccination clinics are being held in community spaces such as malls and parks, providing free vaccines to residents regardless of their location.
Each measles case in the United States incurs an estimated cost of $30,000 to $50,000 to investigate and manage.
Vaccination Status
The CDC reports that 96 percent of U.S. cases involve individuals who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is uncertain. Two percent had received one dose of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, and another 2 percent had completed two doses.
Health experts emphasize that maintaining a 95 percent vaccination rate is crucial for preventing measles outbreaks.
“Measles is one of the most contagious diseases worldwide,” Dr. Jarbas Barbosa stated in a press briefing held last week ahead of Vaccination Week in the Americas.
“Yet countries have struggled to maintain the recommended 95 percent coverage for the MMR vaccine, which makes us vulnerable to imported cases.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
