The measles outbreak in the US has now climbed to nearly 900 cases across 30 states — a more than threefold increase from the total case count in 2024, the CDC reported Friday.
Texas continues to be the epicenter of the disease with 646 cases since late January, including 22 new cases in the past three days.
But the outbreak is spreading across the nation, with six new states seeing cases since last week.
There have been three confirmed deaths so far, including two unvaccinated elementary school children in Texas with no known underlying conditions, and an unvaccinated adult in New Mexico.
Nearly all of the infected — 97% — are unvaccinated, according to CDC data.
In New York, there have been four confirmed cases — including three in the Big Apple. In response, the state’s Department of Health has issued a measles travel advisory.
New Jersey has also reported three cases.
Children between five and 19 years of age have been the most infected, accounting for 38% of all cases. Hospitalizations though are highest in children under five, with as many as 20% requiring hospitalization.
Across all age groups, 11% of those sick have needed to be hospitalized for treatment.
This year’s surge more than triples the total count reported in 2024, when the US recorded 285 cases. And the CDC said the total count could be even higher, as it does not include probable cases in its updates.
The outbreak is showing no sign of slowing down, with authorities reporting a growing number of new cases every few days.
Measles is one of the world’s most contagious diseases and can lead to dangerous complications such as pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling and death.
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