US hits 2,000 measles cases for first time in more than 30 years

The United States has recorded 2,012 measles cases as of Dec. 23 this year, the highest total in more than 30 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The last time the U.S. hit more than 2,000 cases was in 1992, or 33 years ago, CDC data shows.

This year's numbers were driven by 50 outbreaks, defined by the CDC as three or more related cases, reported across the country. These outbreaks accounted for 87% of confirmed cases, or 1,760 of 2,012, according to the CDC.

Measles, one of the most contagious infectious diseases, was eliminated in the U.S. by 2000 but has resurfaced with periodic outbreaks, mostly among people who are not vaccinated.

In 2025, the vast majority of cases, 93%, were among people who were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status, CDC data shows.

The MMR vaccine (measles, mumps and rubella) protects against measles with a 97% efficacy rate and is typically given to children as part of the regular vaccine course at ages 12 to 15 months for the first dose and ages 4 to 6 for the second.

In some cases, measles can cause severe infections in the lungs and brain that can lead to cognitive issues, deafness or death. This year, there were three confirmed deaths from measles, including two school-aged children in West Texas who were unvaccinated.

Twenty-four cases this year came from international visitors to the U.S. The rest were confirmed across the nation, with infections reported in at least 43 states.

Despite lower weekly numbers in the past few months, measles exposures during holiday travel this month helped to increase cases.