The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today in its weekly measles update reported 29 more cases, bringing the national total to 1,197 cases and coming within 77 cases of matching the total from 2019, which was the most since the disease was eliminated from the country in 2000.

So far, 35 states have reported cases, one more than a week ago, which likely reflects Arizona’s first cases of the year.

Four more outbreaks were reported, bringing the national total to 21. For comparison, the CDC recorded 16 outbreaks for all of 2024. Of measles cases reported this year, 90% have been part of outbreaks. Last year, 69% of the illnesses were related to outbreaks.

School-aged children are the most affected group (37%), followed closely by adults ages 20 and older (33%), and children younger than 5 years old (29%).

First case reported in Dallas area

Activity in the West Texas outbreak continues to trend downward, and today there weren’t any new cases related to the event outbreak from Texas, New Mexico, or Oklahoma.

However, Dallas County yesterday reported its first case of the year, a woman in her 20s who is fully vaccinated and doesn’t have a travel history, according to the Dallas Morning News, which cited the county health department. 

The case marks Dallas County’s first since 2019.

Alabama suspected case tests negative

Elsewhere, the Alabama Department of Public Health said follow-up testing on a patient from Lee County with a suspected measles infection was negative, based on a PCR test at a reference lab.

Officials noted that they typically launch preliminary investigations while testing is underway to make sure vulnerable people are informed and protected.