US declared measles free in 2000, yet more than 1,000 infected in 2025
- North Shore Democrats of Travis County
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Edited by Mike Killalea
After being declared measles free in 2000, a quarter century later 1,000 people are infected with the highly contagious, yet easily preventable disease. Meanwhile, HHS Secretary RFK Jr falsely claims that the measles vaccine haven’t been “safety tested” and that its protection is short-lived.
But at the same time, Kennedy says the vaccine is the “most effective way” to prevent the virus’ spread. Maybe that was his brainworm speaking, because the parasite’s host shied away from a full-throated endorsement of measles vaccinations.
In fact, 86% of Americans believe the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is safe.
850,000 cases of measles coming soon?
Meanwhile, some experts predict that the country could experience 850,000 cases over the next 25 years if vaccination rates remain the same. If vaccine rates decrease further, the study found, case numbers could increase to 11 million.
The brainworm host talks out of both sides of his mouth. Kennedy, the anti-vax poster boy, who runs the government’s health services, told a House committee that "I don't think people should be taking medical advice from me.”
Well, I sure won’t.
Americans displeased!
Just 31% of respondents in recent Reuters/Ipsos poll agreed with a statement that the current administration is handling the measles outbreak responsibly, while 40% disagreed and the rest were unsure or did not answer the question.
Poll shows skepticism about Trump administration's handling of measles outbreak
MMR vaccine seen as safe by 86% of Americans
Vaccination rates drop, fueling outbreak concerns
New era of measles
Now we may be entering a new era of measles. A study published in April 2025 found that measles is likely to become endemic again in the US, and predicted that the country could experience 850,000 cases over the next 25 years if vaccination rates remain the same. If vaccine rates decrease further, the study found, case numbers could increase to 11 million over the next 25 years.
Globally, measles is on the rise across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, South America and parts of Europe. In 2025, North and South America saw 11 times more cases than during the same period last year. In Europe, measles rates are at their highest point in 25 years.
Now, more than 1,000 people in 30 states are infected, plus New York City. Most are in. Texas, of course. A large measles outbreak is happening in Canada, too, with over 1,000 cases.
As of May 8, 2025, a total of 1,001 confirmed* measles cases were reported by 31 jurisdictions: Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.
There have been 14 outbreaks (defined as 3 or more related cases) reported in 2025, and 93% of confirmed cases (928 of 1,001) are outbreak-associated. For comparison, 16 outbreaks were reported during 2024 and 69% of cases (198 of 285) were outbreak-associated.
CDC says that it is aware of probable measles cases being reported by jurisdictions. However, the data it reports on its website only includes confirmed cases.
Measles is one of the most contagious infections ever
Measles is one of the most contagious infections ever identified. One person with measles can spread the infection to 12 to 18 others. That number, which epidemiologists call R0, is 1 to 4 for the flu and 2 to 5 for COVID-19.
In 1912, measles became a nationally reportable disease tracked by all the health departments in the U.S. At that time, there were about 3 million to 4 million cases and 6,000 deaths each year in the country. Medical care improved and the death rate decreased, but cases spiked to epidemic levels every two to three years.
It was not until 1963, when the first measles vaccine became widely available, that cases dropped dramatically. The current measles vaccine, which is called the MMR vaccine because it also includes vaccines against mumps and rubella, was released in 1971.
In 1977, the U.S. government launched the National Childhood Immunization Initiative to ensure that school children received vaccination against polio, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, mumps, rubella and measles.
Vaccination rates in children starting elementary school rose to 96% by 1981. Beginning in 1993, the Vaccines for Children program helped ensure that every child could receive vaccinations regardless of ability to pay.
Measles is a virus, like the common cold. Unlike bacterial infections, which can be treated with antibiotics, viral infections are typically not treatable but can often be prevented through vaccination programs.
Vaccination stimulates the body's immune system to make antibodies to fight a specific infection. For most people, just one dose of the measles vaccine protects them from infection. The second dose helps ensure long-term protection.
Measles is so infectious that 95% of the population must be vaccinated to protect the community, a concept called herd immunity.
What would it take to reverse the rise in measles?
Reversing this trend will require steadily increasing community vaccination rates. The April 2025 study found that boosting community vaccination rates by 5% would tamp down the increase in cases to between 3,000 and 19,000 over the next 25 years.
Another epidemiological model that estimates measles spread, published in February, predicted that by intervening early in an outbreak with local health department support, measles outbreaks can be contained as long as 85% of the population is vaccinated against the disease.
https://abcnews.go.com/Health/rfk-jr-testify-house-senate-committees-amid-layoffs/story?id=121771047
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