Measles Outbreak in the US: A Growing Concern
The United States has recorded the most measles cases in over 30 years, with a large share of the infections connected to an outbreak in West Texas that led to the deaths of two children. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of cases in Texas alone grew to over 760 before the state declared it officially over in August, while total cases nationwide have topped 1,500, with infections confirmed in at least 39 states.
Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases, and in some cases, can cause severe infections in the lungs and brain that can lead to cognitive issues, deafness, or death. However, doctors and health officials emphasize that the vaccine, which is normally given as part of the combination measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, is highly safe and effective. The CDC reports that about 1 in 5 unvaccinated people who get measles will be hospitalized, and about 1 out of every 1,000 children with measles will develop brain swelling that can lead to brain damage, and up to 3 of every 1,000 children who become infected will die.
The largest outbreak so far this year has been in West Texas, but cases have been reported in other states around the country, as well. The CBS News data team is tracking confirmed measles cases nationwide as new data is released by state health departments and the CDC. .
Outbreaks and Vaccination Rates
The Texas outbreak primarily affected children and teenagers, nearly all of whom were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status. State and local health officials confirmed that the first patient who died was an unvaccinated school-aged child, and the second was an unvaccinated 8-year-old girl. Neither of the children had underlying health conditions, according to the Texas health department. New Mexico also reported the death of an adult with measles. 
Health experts point to lower vaccination rates as a reason for increases in preventable diseases like measles. CDC data shows that about 93% of kindergarteners in the US were vaccinated against measles during the 2021-2022 school year, and only 92.7% in the 2023-2024 school year, down from 95.2% during the 2019-2020 school year — a critical threshold to keep people safe. 
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Vaccination and Community Immunity
According to the CDC, “When more than 95% of people in a community are vaccinated, most people are protected through community immunity (herd immunity).” 
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has voiced support for vaccination as the deadly outbreak spread in the Southwest, stating, “We encourage people to get the measles vaccine.” However, he added that the government should not be mandating those vaccinations.
The last measles death in the US before this year was in 2019, when a 37-year-old man died from measles complicated by meningitis in California, according to CDC data. Until now, the highest number of confirmed cases in the US in recent years was 1,274 in 2019, driven by outbreaks in New York, California, and Washington state. 
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