As of March 27, 2025, the United States has recorded 483 confirmed measles cases and two fatalities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported three major outbreaks this year, with 93% of cases linked to these outbreaks. In response to the surge in infections, the World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a travel advisory urging travelers to update their measles vaccinations before visiting the USA.
Measles is a highly contagious airborne virus that spreads through coughing, sneezing, or even breathing. It can cause severe illness, complications, and, in some cases, death. While anyone can be affected, young children are particularly vulnerable.
Though most cases resolve within 2-3 weeks, severe complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, blindness, or death may occur, especially in unvaccinated individuals.
Before traveling to the USA, WHO strongly advises:
✔️ Checking and updating measles vaccination status
✔️ Consulting local health authorities if exposed to the virus
✔️ Ensuring access to measles vaccines, especially for international travelers
WHO also emphasizes the need for a stockpile of measles-rubella (MR) and MMR vaccines to respond to imported cases.
This year, 20 U.S. states have reported measles cases, including:
🛑 Texas (400 cases, outbreak epicenter)
🔴 Other affected states: Alaska, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York (City & State), Ohio, Pennsylvania, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, and Washington.
According to the CDC, measles outbreaks in the USA often originate from unvaccinated travelers infected abroad. The CDC states:
🗨️ “Most imported measles cases are brought by unvaccinated individuals who get infected in other countries. Around 2 out of 3 of these travelers are U.S. citizens who spread the virus to unprotected individuals, leading to outbreaks.”
The best protection against measles is two doses of the MMR vaccine. Vaccination not only safeguards individuals but also helps prevent future outbreaks.
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