Los Angeles, 2 January – In 2025, the United States reported more than 2,000 confirmed cases of measles, marking the highest number in a single year since 1992. According to the latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a total of 2,065 cases were recorded across 44 states and territories by 30 December 2025.
Approximately 11 percent of these patients required hospitalization. Some cases were detected among individuals who had traveled to the US from other countries. The previous peak was in 1992, when 2,126 cases were reported nationwide.
The CDC also noted 49 measles outbreaks during 2025, accounting for about 88 percent of the total cases. The age group most affected was children and adolescents between 5 and 19 years old, making up nearly 42 percent of all patients.
According to the news agency Xinhua, three deaths due to measles were confirmed in the US in 2025.
The US had declared measles eliminated in 2000, meaning the disease was no longer spreading within the country and new cases mainly occurred when infected individuals returned from abroad. However, health experts have warned that the sharp rise in cases and outbreaks last year puts the country’s measles-free status at risk, similar to the situation in Canada in November 2025.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads easily through coughing, sneezing, or breathing. It can lead to severe illness, complications, and sometimes death. While anyone can contract measles, it is more common among children.
The illness usually begins by affecting the respiratory tract and then spreads throughout the body. Symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, and a widespread rash.
Vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent measles. The vaccine is safe and helps the body fight the virus, preventing its spread.
Before the measles vaccine was introduced in 1963 and widespread immunization began, measles epidemics occurred every two to three years, causing around 2.6 million deaths annually worldwide. In 2023, approximately 107,500 people died from measles globally, mostly children under five years old, despite the availability of a safe and inexpensive vaccine.
Measles symptoms typically appear 10 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. The most noticeable sign is a rash that spreads over the body.
Early symptoms last 4 to 7 days and include runny nose, cough, red and watery eyes, and small white spots inside the cheeks.
The rash usually begins 7 to 18 days after exposure, first appearing on the face and upper neck, then spreading to the rest of the body, including hands and feet within about three days. The rash generally fades gradually over 5 to 6 days.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving WORLD of technology.