What to know
- Updated on September 17, 2025. The data on this page reflect confirmed measles cases reported to CDC as of noon on Tuesdays.
- As of 6/25/25, CDC updates this page every Wednesday.
Measles cases in 2025
Resources for Communities with a Measles Outbreak:
As of September 16, 2025, there have been a total of 1,491 confirmed* measles cases reported in the United States. Among these, 1,470 measles cases were reported by 42 jurisdictions: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. A total of 21 measles cases were reported among international visitors to the U.S.
There have been 38 outbreaks** reported in 2025, and 86% of confirmed cases (1,284 of 1,491) are outbreak-associated. For comparison, 16 outbreaks were reported during 2024 and 69% of cases (198 of 285) were outbreak-associated.
*CDC is aware of probable measles cases being reported by jurisdictions. However, the data on this page only includes confirmed cases jurisdictions have notified to CDC.
**CDC reports the cumulative number of measles outbreaks (defined as 3 or more related cases) that have occurred this year in the U.S.; states have the most up-to-date information about cases and outbreaks in their jurisdictions.
Find more real-time updates of measles cases reported by:
- Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
- New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH)
- Ohio Department of Health
- Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE)
- Indiana Department of Health
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
- Illinois Department of Public Health
- North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
- Arkansas Department of Health
- Montana Department of Health and Human Services
U.S. Cases in 2025Total cases |
| Age Under 5 years: 5-19 years: 20+ years: Age unknown: |
| Vaccination Status Unvaccinated or Unknown: One MMR dose: Two MMR doses: |
U.S. Hospitalizations in 2025
|
| Percent of Age Group Hospitalized
Under 5 years: |
U.S. Deaths in 20253There have been 3 confirmed deaths from measles. |
Note: The total number of cases includes cases among international visitors to the U.S.
Weekly measles cases by rash onset date
2023–2025* (as of September 16, 2025)
*2023–2025 case counts are preliminary and subject to change.
Yearly measles cases
as of September 16, 2025
*2023–2025 case counts are preliminary and subject to change.
MMR vaccine coverage for kindergarteners by school year (2009–2024)
The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is very safe and effective. When more than 95% of people in a community are vaccinated (coverage >95%), most people are protected through community immunity (herd immunity). However, vaccination coverage among U.S. kindergartners has decreased from 95.2% during the 2019–2020 school year to 92.7% in the 2023–2024 school year, leaving approximately 280,000 kindergartners at risk during the 2023–2024 school year. To dive into vaccine coverage data for MMR, visit VaxView.
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.
What to know about measles cases & outbreak data
State, local, tribal, and territorial health departments lead measles case and outbreak investigations. States notify CDC of measles cases reported in their jurisdictions and may request appropriate assistance from CDC to help with their investigations.
On this page CDC publishes:
- National measles case counts, including the total number of measles cases reported among international visitors to the United States.
- Demographic and clinical data using the national total.
- The number of confirmed measles cases among U.S. residents in each jurisdiction.
- The cumulative number of measles outbreaks (defined as 3 or more related cases) that have occurred this year in the United States.
- Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000. This was thanks to a very high percentage of people receiving the safe and effective measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. In recent years, however:
- U.S. national MMR coverage among kindergarteners has decreased and is now below the 95% coverage target—with much lower coverage in some communities.
- Global measles activity is increasing, meaning more chances of an unvaccinated person infected with measles abroad returning to the United States.
- Measles is not a seasonal virus. However, measles is often spread over times of high travel (like spring break, summer, or during holidays) or in situations where unvaccinated persons are in close quarters (like summer camp).
CDC publishes the cumulative number of measles outbreaks, defined as 3 or more related cases, that have occurred in the United States. Some states may have had multiple measles outbreaks, and a single reported multistate outbreak may have related cases reported in several states. States have the most up-to-date information about cases and ongoing outbreaks in their jurisdictions.
Measles is very contagious. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. You can get measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been. While measles has been eliminated in the United States since 2000, it is still common in many parts of the world.
Every year, measles is brought into the United States by travelers who get measles while they are in other countries. Travelers who are infected with measles can bring it back to the United States and spread it to other people who are not protected. These travelers are usually unvaccinated U.S. residents who travel internationally. Far less frequently, they are international visitors. Few cases this year have been reported among international visitors.
A measles outbreak is defined as 3 or more related cases. Most outbreaks in the United States are small, comprised of 6 people or fewer, usually within a household. When measles gets into a community that has lower vaccination rates it can spread quickly, causing larger outbreaks.
Two doses of MMR vaccine are 97% effective at preventing measles, 1 dose is 93% effective. It is uncommon for someone who is vaccinated to develop measles. However, breakthrough infections (when someone becomes infected after they have been vaccinated) can occur, especially in communities experiencing an outbreak where high levels of measles virus are circulating. The number of breakthrough infections is consistent with what we have seen in previous years (approximately 10% of all measles infections).
CDC is creating models to show how measles outbreaks could occur and spread in the United States. These models can be used to help health departments better identify communities at highest risk and manage healthcare resources.
Measles is an extremely infectious, and potentially severe rash illness. Before the measles vaccine was introduced, an estimated 48,000 people were hospitalized and 400–500 people died in the United States each year.
The best way to protect yourself against measles is with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Talk to your healthcare provider about vaccination, especially if planning to travel.
History of measles cases
Measles was officially eliminated from the United States in 2000, meaning there is no measles spreading within the country and new cases are only found when someone contracts measles abroad and returns to the country. Achieving measles elimination status in the United States was a historic public health achievement. The below figure illustrates how common measles was before vaccines and how vaccine policy enabled elimination.
Previous years
As of December 31, 2024, a total of 285 measles cases were reported in the U.S. Among these, 269 of the measles cases were reported by 32 jurisdictions: Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. A total of 16 measles cases were reported among international visitors to the U.S.
There have been 16 outbreaks (defined as 3 or more related cases) reported in 2024, and 69% of cases (198 of 285) are outbreak-associated. For comparison, 4 outbreaks were reported during 2023 and 49% of cases (29 of 59) were outbreak-associated.
U.S. Cases in 2024Total cases 285 |
| Age Under 5 years: 120 (42%) 5-19 years: 88 (31%) 20+ years: 77 (27%) |
| Vaccination Status Unvaccinated or Unknown: 89% One MMR dose: 7% Two MMR doses: 4% |
U.S. Hospitalizations in 202440%40% of cases hospitalized (114 of 285) for isolation or for management of measles complications. |
| Percent of Age Group Hospitalized Under 5 years: 52% (62 of 120) 5-19 years: 25% (22 of 88) 20+ years: 39% (30 of 77) |
From January 1 to December 31, 2023, a total of 59 measles cases were reported by 20 jurisdictions: California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, New York City, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
*Jurisdictions refer to any of the 50 states, New York City, and the District of Columbia.
From January 1 to December 31, 2022, a total of 121 measles cases were reported by 6 jurisdictions. *
For more information, please see the following report:
- Notes from the Field: Measles Outbreak — Central Ohio, 2022–2023. MMWR. August 4, 2023
*Jurisdictions refer to any of the 50 states, New York City, and the District of Columbia.
From January 1 to December 31, 2021, a total of 49 measles cases were reported by 5 jurisdictions. *
For more information, please see the following report:
- Public Health Actions to Control Measles Among Afghan Evacuees During Operation Allies Welcome — United States, September–November 2021. MMWR. April 29, 2022
*Jurisdictions refer to any of the 50 states, New York City, and the District of Columbia.
From January 1 to December 31, 2020, 13 individual cases of measles were confirmed in 8 jurisdictions.*
*Jurisdictions refer to any of the 50 states, New York City, and the District of Columbia.
From January 1 to December 31, 2019, 1,274 individual cases of measles were confirmed in 31 states.
The majority of cases were among people who were not vaccinated against measles. Measles is more likely to spread and cause outbreaks in U.S. communities where groups of people are unvaccinated.
For more information, please see the following reports:
- Increase in Measles Cases – United States, January 1-April 26, 2019. MMWR. May 3, 2019
- National Update on Measles Cases and Outbreaks – United States, January 1-October 1, 2019. MMWR. October 11, 2019
- National Update on Measles Cases and Outbreaks — United States, January 1–October 1, 2019. MMWR. October 11, 2019
- Notes from the Field: Community Outbreak of Measles — Clark County, Washington, 2018–2019. MMWR. May 17, 2019
- Notes from the Field: Measles Outbreaks from Imported Cases in Orthodox Jewish Communities — New York and New Jersey, 2018–2019. MMWR. May 17, 2019
*Jurisdictions refer to any of the 50 states, New York City, and the District of Columbia.
From January 1 to December 31, 2018, 381 individual cases of measles were confirmed in 28 jurisdictions.*
*Jurisdictions refer to any of the 50 states, New York City, and the District of Columbia.
For more information, please see the following report:
- Measles Outbreak — Minnesota April–May 2017. MMWR. July 14, 2017
*Jurisdictions refer to any of the 50 states, New York City, and the District of Columbia.
For more information please see the following reports:
- Notes from the Field: Measles Outbreak at a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement Facility — Arizona, May–June 2016. MMWR. May 26, 2017
- Measles Outbreak of Unknown Source — Shelby County, Tennessee, April–May 2016. MMWR. September 30, 2016
*Jurisdictions refer to any of the 50 states, New York City, and the District of Columbia.
For more information please see the following reports:
- Measles — United States, January 4–April 2, 2015. MMWR. April 17, 2015
- Measles Outbreak — California, December 2014–February 2015. MMWR. Feb 20, 2015
*Jurisdictions refer to any of the 50 states, New York City, and the District of Columbia.
For more information please see the following reports:
- Measles Outbreak in an Unvaccinated Family and a Possibly Associated International Traveler — Orange County, Florida, December 2012–January 2013. MMWR. Sep 12, 2014
- Notes from the Field: Measles in a Micronesian Community — King County, Washington, 2014. MMWR. Sep 12, 2014
- Measles — United States, January 1–May 23, 2014. MMWR May 29, 2014
- Notes from the Field: Measles — California, January 1–April 18, 2014. MMWR. Apr 25, 2014
*Jurisdictions refer to any of the 50 states, New York City, and the District of Columbia.
For more information please see the following reports:
- Measles — United States, January 1-August 24, 2013. MMWR. Sep 13, 2013
- Notes from the field: Measles outbreak among members of a religious community — Brooklyn, New York, March–June 2013. MMWR. Vol 62, No 36;752-3 09/13/2013
- Notes from the field: Measles outbreak associated with a traveler returning from India — North Carolina, April–May 2013. MMWR. Vol 62, No 36;753
*Jurisdictions refer to any of the 50 states, New York City, and the District of Columbia.