In its weekly measles update the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today reported 80 more measles cases, the biggest jump since late April, putting the United States on pace to easily reach the highest annual number of cases since it achieved measles elimination status in 2000.
Cases have now reached 1,168. In a shift, most of the new cases appear to be linked to travel and an increasing number of outbreaks rather than the large outbreak centered in West Texas. The United Kingdom’s Health Security Agency (HSA) this week warned that summer travel could trigger another measles surge in England amid the backdrop of rising global cases over the last year and ongoing outbreaks in part of England, including London.
The CDC said 34 states have now reported cases, which likely reflects the first from South Dakota. Also, its total reflects three more outbreaks, putting the total for the year at 17. Of cases reported so far, 89% are linked to outbreaks.
This year’s number of outbreaks has now passed the 2024 total of 16, which were responsible for 69% of last year’s measles infections.
Of cases reported this year, 95% have been in people who were unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status. Children ages 5 to 19 years old are the most affected group, making up 38% of infections, followed closely by adults (33%) and children younger than 5 (29%).
New cases in Virginia and Georgia
No new cases were reported today from Texas or other states with links to the West Texas outbreak.
The Virginia Department of Health yesterday announced the state’s third case of the year, which involves a child younger than 4 years old from the state’s northwest region who was exposed to a family member whose illness was confirmed in late May, a teen who had traveled internationally.
Similarly, the Georgia Department of Public Health today reported a new case linked to exposure to a sick family member who acquired his or her measles infection outside the country. The newly reported patient is an unvaccinated resident of the Atlanta metro area.
Georgia has now reported five cases for 2025, which is already approaching the six cases is confirmed for all of 2024.
First measles death reported in Canada
Canada has been battling an even bigger measles outbreak this year, with activity that began in undervaccinated communities in southwestern Ontario. In its latest update earlier this week, the Public Health Agency of Canada reported 244 new cases for the previous week, putting the country’s total at 2,755, of which nearly 2,000 are from Ontario.
Yesterday, Ontario health officials announced the country’s first measles death of the year, a premature infant who was born to an unvaccinated mother.
In a statement, Kieran Moore, MD, MPH, MSc, Ontario’s chief medical officer, said the baby contracted measles before birth and that measles may have played a contributing role in the premature birth death. He also said the infant faced other serious medical complications that weren’t related to the virus.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the family during this incredibly difficult time. I also want to thank the dedicated health-care professionals who cared for both the mother and infant with compassion and expertise,” Moore said.
