This measles outbreak tracker and map show how rapidly cases are spreading across America

The United States is experiencing its worst measles outbreak in three decades. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been 1,288 confirmed measles cases across 38 states since the start of 2025. Some 162 people have been hospitalized, and three have died. These are the latest CDC figures as of July 8.

The latest case counts surpass those of 2019, when 1,274 cases of the disease were reported. The last time the U.S. saw more cases was in 1992, when there were 2,126 confirmed cases of the disease. 

Medical researchers have observed a trend of declining childhood vaccination rates, leading to increased cases in recent years. Measles is a highly infectious viral disease that is spread through the air by coughing and sneezing. 

There is no cure for measles. However, vaccines can provide protection.

Tracking the growing spread 

The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has a U.S. Measles Tracker on its website. This interactive tool shows where outbreaks are happening and indicates whether cases are local or imported. 

This resource can help Americans stay informed about the spread of the disease and the latest confirmed cases. 

The tracker shows that Texas has seen the largest number of confirmed cases, followed by New Mexico. There have been over 400 cases in Gaines County, Texas. 

Data collected by Johns Hopkins University (JHU) indicate that 6% of confirmed cases involve individuals who have been vaccinated. Meanwhile, 94% of cases involve people who are unvaccinated or with unknown vaccination status. 

Understanding the symptoms and how to protect yourself

Doctors recommend two doses of the MMR vaccine to protect against measles, mumps, and rubella. Adults and children aged 12 months to 12 years can get the vaccine, which is 97% effective against measles after two doses. 

Alternatively, children aged 12 months to 12 years can receive the MMRV vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella. Two MMRV doses is recommended.

Symptoms usually appear seven to 14 days after exposure to the disease, according to Mayo Clinic.   

Typical symptoms include: 

• High fever (can reach more than 104°F)
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes 

Small white spots typically appear inside the mouth two to three days after symptoms begin. Three to five days after symptoms start, it’s typical for a rash with small raised bumps to appear on the face and upper body, later spreading to the lower body.

Measles can be especially dangerous to babies and young children. If your child has been exposed to measles, you should contact a healthcare provider immediately.