US measles cases so far in 2025 surpass total for all of 2024
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Nurses administering a measles vaccine at a hospital in Seminole, Texas.
PHOTO: DESIREE RIOS/NYTIMES
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WASHINGTON – Less than three months into 2025, US measles cases have outpaced the 2024 total, as a worrying outbreak linked to two deaths continues to spread.
The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 308 confirmed cases across 15 states on March 14, a 39 per cent increase over the previous week’s number.
The US reported 285 measles cases in all of 2024. The vast majority of patients are either unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccine status, according to health authorities.
Texas, the epicentre of the outbreak with the first confirmed measles death
About 13 per cent of diagnosed patients have been hospitalised.
A school-aged child, who was not vaccinated and had no underlying conditions, died of the disease in February.
The CDC numbers included cases reported to the agency as of noon on March 13.
Health officials in neighbouring New Mexico have reported that an adult died and then tested positive for measles. The state has not yet confirmed the cause of death. BLOOMBERG
