With more than 600 cases, 2025 is already the third most active year for measles since 2000, the year in which the United States officially eliminated it.
Most cases of this year are in Texas, which represents approximately 3 out of 4 infections reported.
“Elimination” means that the disease has not spread continuously for at least 12 months. And although sporadic outbreaks have occurred since 2000, recent cases are nothing compared to the 27,000 cases reported in 1990 or 450,000 cases reported in 1964.
The measles vaccine was introduced in 1963, which marked a turning point for contagious disease, which used to kill thousands every year.
