Vaccine Archives

Measles Outbreaks 2025

As of March 7, 2025, per the CDC’s weekly update, there have been 222 cases of measles in the United States with 17% of those with measles hospitalized and one (1) unvaccinated child that died in Texas. That’s approximately 78% of last year’s 285 measles cases in just the first two (2) months of this year. The last child who died of measles in the U.S. was 10 years ago in 2015. This is the worst measles outbreak Texas has had in 30 years. The 12 states that have had measles cases this year include: Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and Washington.

Measles in Florida

As of March 6, 2025, there is one (1) student at Miami Palmetto Senior High School that was diagnosed with measles. The good news is that the school has a 99.7% vaccination rate. Hence, the chance of it spreading in the school is extremely low. No other cases of measles have occurred at the school.

*Prefer to watch instead of read? Want extra details too? Watch the full video on my YouTube channel!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

What is Measles?

Measles is a highly contagious viral infectious disease. It spreads when a person breathes, coughs, or sneezes.

How Contagious is Measles?

Very! It spreads when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Measles virus can survive in the air for up to two (2) hours! Any exposure can occur up to two (2) hours after a person left the area where they were located. Measles symptoms can begin 7 to 21 days after exposure, so unvaccinated children, adults, and immunocompromised people need to monitor themselves for symptoms. If symptoms occur, get tested.

Measles Impact Before the Measles Vaccine?

Before the Measles Vaccination Program in 1963 in the U.S., there were:

500,000 reported cases of measles each year,
48,000 hospitalizations each year, and
1,000 developed encephalitis (brain swelling) from measles each year, and
400 to 500 deaths from measles each year.

Why Are There Measles Outbreaks?

In 2000, measles was declared Eliminated in the U.S. The official designation of “Eliminated” is defined as no continuous disease spread for more than 12 months. Herd (community) immunity occurs when vaccination rates are 95% or higher. Unfortunately, the anti-vaccination movement and the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in measles vaccination rates dropping. Illness spreads easily in communities with unvaccinated people, allowing measles outbreaks to occur. Kindergartners Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) vaccination rate across the U.S. decreased to 92.7% in the 2023-2024 school year. This year, Gaines County, Texas has a MMR vaccination rate of 82% in its kindergartners. Hence, the outbreak found a home. As of March 4, 2025, Gaines County reported 107 cases of measles, up 12 from the prior week.

When Do Measles Symptoms Start?

Measles symptoms begin to show between 7-21 days after exposure.

Measles symptom in mouth - Koplik spots — Measles symptom in mouth – Koplik spots

Early Symptoms (First Four Days of Illness)

high fever
cough
runny nose
red, watery eyes
white spots inside the cheeks

Later Symptoms (3-4 Days After Illness Starts)

rash that starts on the face and neck
rash spreads to lower body (over a period of 3 days)
rash fades (after approximately 5-7 days)

Who’s at Greatest Risk From Measles?

children less than 5 years old
adults older than 20 years old
pregnant women
people with weakened immune systems

Common Measles Complications

Ear infections and diarrhea are common complications with measles.

ear infections – 1 in every 10 children with measles
diarrhea – 1 in every 10 people with measles

Severe Measles Complications

Hospitalization, pneumonia, encephalitis, and death are some of the severe complications that occur with measles disease. Encephalitis is brain swelling that occurs due to the measles infection. It can lead to potential brain damage which may include blindness, deafness, and developmental disabilities. In addition, pregnant women may deliver prematurely, have a miscarriage, a stillbirth, a baby with low birth weight, or a newborn with birth defects including brain damage.

hospitalization – 1 in every 5 unvaccinated people with measles
pneumonia – 1 in every 20 children with measles.
encephalitis (brain swelling) – 1 in every 1,000 children with measles.
death – 1-3 in every 1,000 children with measles die from neurological, pneumonia, or respiratory complications

What is Subacute Sclerosing Panecephalitis (SSPE)?

This is a slow ongoing measles brain infection. It is rare. It occurs in about 2 per 100,000 cases of natural measles. It occurs 7 to 10 years after the initial measles infection. It always results in brain damage and always ends in death.

How to Prevent Measles?

Make sure you and your children are fully vaccinated. According to the CDC vaccination schedule, full vaccination is defined as measles vaccine should receive two (2) doses of the vaccine. The first vaccine is given between 12-15 months old. The second vaccine is given between 4-6 years old.

How Efective is the Measles Vaccine?

The measles vaccine is 93% effective after the first dose. It is 97% effective after the second dose. The vaccine is safe, effective, and generally lasts lifelong.

Who Should Not Get the Measles Vaccine?

It is important to know that it is a live vaccine. As a result, there are certain situations where someone should not be vaccinated with a live vaccine such as the measles vaccine. Pregnant women should not get the vaccine. Children and adults with weakened immune systems due to a condition (HIV, AIDS, etc.) or due to a specific medical treatment (chemotherapy, radiation, high-dose steroids, etc.) should not receive the vaccine. In addition, they need to stay away from those who recently received the vaccine to protect themselves. Discuss with your doctor all the details specific to your child’s or your condition so that you know how long to proceed.

Some real-life examples include a parent who is on high-dose steroids due to a transplant or a grandparent who is undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment who has a one (1) year old who is due to be vaccinated.

Is It Safe To Travel with Measles Outbreaks?

For the most part yes. However, if you are traveling to an area or near an area where there has been an outbreak, then check your vaccination status before or after you’ve been to or near the affected outbreak area. Make sure to watch for any signs and symptoms for the following 21 days. Contact your doctor to have a specific plan for you and/or your child’s exposure.

What To Do If Exposed To Measles?

Call your doctor. They will review your/your child’s vaccination status. In most cases, if you and your child have received two (2) doses of the MMR vaccine, you are considered immune from measles.

If you or your child haven’t received two (2) MMR doses, then call your doctor. Your doctor will help guide you as to what to do next. Each case is managed differently. For example, if you have a one (1) year old child who was exposed to measles and had received the MMR vaccine more than 28 days prior to measles exposure, then a repeat MMR vaccine may be given to boost immunity. In another example, you have a seven (7) month old child who was exposed to measles that couldn’t be vaccinated yet because he/she wasn’t yet one (1) year old. Your doctor will likely recommend that your unvaccinated infant receive the measles vaccine early in order to reduce the risk of contracting measles.

Again, if exposed, call your doctor. If you or your child are not vaccinated, you may need to receive a measles vaccine or measles immunoglobulin. And since measles is highly contagious, you will need to be evaluated in a manner that is safe and not around others.

What’s Next?

Stay tuned the nest blog post, “Autism & Genetic Testing: Why & When?” Don’t forget to check out the video for more in-depth information on today’s topic! Watch the full video on my YouTube channel!

️️Comment & Subscribe!

Leave a comment below. Your input helps me create content that truly supports you! How this was helpful to you? What other topics would you like me to review?