Measles cases have been reported in 15 states this year, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 301 cases as of March 14.
Youths ages 19 and under account for 229 (76%) of those cases, and 95% of all cases occurred in people who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown. Of the 229 cases, 41 (17.9%) have resulted in hospitalizations.
One unvaccinated school-aged child died of measles in February in Texas, where 259 cases have been reported by the state health department as of March 14.
“Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area and the surrounding communities,” Texas health officials said.
New Mexico health officials have reported 35 cases as of March 14, and an unvaccinated resident tested positive for measles after dying.
The CDC issued a Health Alert Network advisory last week recommending that all health care professionals ensure their patients have gotten measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine to prevent further spread of the measles. MMR vaccine is given in two doses: the first at 12-15 months of age and the second at 4-6 years of age. Two doses are 97% effective against measles.
The CDC also said vitamin A may be given to pediatric patients with measles as part of supportive management, which is consistent with AAP guidance. Children with severe measles should receive vitamin A under the supervision of a health care provider.
Vitamin A is not a substitute for vaccination, and overuse can be toxic.
There have been three measles outbreaks, defined as three or more related cases, in 2025, which account for 93% of confirmed U.S. cases.
Cases have been reported in Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York state, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont and Washington.
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