The measles outbreak in the United States continues to spread, with Tennessee reporting its first confirmed case of the year. The Tennessee Department of Health announced that a Middle Tennessee resident tested positive in early March and is now recovering at home.
Why This Matters
Measles is a highly contagious and potentially deadly virus that was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000. However, cases have resurfaced in recent years due to declining vaccination rates. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 95% of confirmed measles cases in 2025 involved individuals who were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status.
Current Measles Spread Across the U.S.
As of March 20, a total of 378 measles cases have been confirmed across 18 states, surpassing the 285 cases recorded for all of 2024. The affected states include:
- Alaska
- California
- Florida
- Georgia
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Michigan
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Vermont
- Washington
The CDC has identified three primary outbreaks contributing to 90% of this year’s cases. The largest outbreak has been in Texas, with 309 reported cases since late January, primarily in the South Plains and Panhandle regions. Many cases have been traced to unvaccinated individuals, particularly within the Mennonite community in West Texas.
Health Risks and Hospitalizations
Measles spreads through respiratory droplets and can remain airborne for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area. The disease can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling), and death, particularly in children under five years old.
This year, 64 measles patients (17% of total cases) have been hospitalized, with the highest hospitalization rate (27%) among young children. Tragically, two measles-related deaths have been reported in 2025—a school-aged child in Texas and another case in New Mexico, currently under investigation. The last confirmed measles-related death in the U.S. before this year occurred in 2015.
Public Health Response and Expert Warnings
Health officials across the country are urging the public to get vaccinated.
- Texas Department of State Health Services: “Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area and surrounding communities. DSHS is working with local health departments to investigate the outbreak.”
- Dr. James McDonald, New York State Health Commissioner: “Immunization is safe and the best protection for your children against measles and other potentially deadly diseases.”
- Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County Health Officer: “With measles outbreaks happening both in the United States and internationally, this recent case in our county highlights the importance of the MMR vaccine.”
- Kenneth Moritsugu, former U.S. Acting Surgeon General: “Childhood vaccination rates are declining, and without clear government communication about the safety and efficacy of vaccines, we could see more measles-related deaths.”
Even Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has faced criticism for his anti-vaccine views, publicly endorsed the MMR vaccine. Calling the outbreak a “call to action,” he emphasized that “vaccines not only protect individual children from measles but also contribute to community immunity.”
What’s Next?
The CDC urges healthcare providers to be vigilant for measles symptoms, such as fever and rash, and to educate communities about the importance of vaccination. As the outbreak continues, health officials stress that vaccination remains the best defense against measles and its potentially severe consequences.
Keep up with the measles outbreak and more health updates with us on Que Onda Magazine.