Based on the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) there has been a total of 607 confirmed cases of measles in the U.S. thus far in 2025 (as of April 3, 2025). These cases have been reported by a total of 22 jurisdictions, including Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Washington (CDC, 2025). Approximately 93% of the cases in the U.S. have been related to the current measles outbreak and the majority of people affected have been unvaccinated against measles or have an unknown vaccine status.
Measles can be a very serious infection; 1 in 5 people who are infected with measles get admitted to the hospital, and it can be associated with severe complications including pneumonia, encephalitis, and even death (FCHD, 2025). Symptoms of measles can start as fever, cough, runny nose, and red and watery eyes, followed by a rash starting around day 3-5 after symptom onset.
The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine is the best way to protect your family from this dangerous infection. There are typically two doses of this vaccine, recommended at 12 months old and 4 years old. These doses are usually given at well visits in our office. If you are unsure whether your child has received these vaccines, please check your patient portal account to view their vaccine record, or call our office to speak with a member of our staff. If you are looking to have your child vaccinated and they are older than 12 months without MMR vaccine history, please call to schedule an age appropriate well visit with one of our providers. For international travel, there are specific countries where MMR vaccine is recommended to give to infants over 6 months; if you and your family are planning an upcoming trip to another country, call to speak with our staff or schedule an appointment with a travel clinic to protect everyone on the trip from measles as well as other potentially dangerous infections.
Fairfax County Health Department (FCHD). (March 19, 2025). Fairfax County Health Department Measles Update (March 2025). https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/health/fairfax-county-health-department-measles-update-march-2025
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (April 4, 2025). Measles Cases and Outbreaks. https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html
Photo source: https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html