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| source : bestcare.org |
Let me be real with you,measles is making an unsettling comeback, and it’s doing so faster than many of us expected. As someone who’s been closely following public health for years, I never thought I’d see the U.S. reporting more measles cases in 2025 than we did in 2019. Yet here we are: over 1,277 confirmed cases by early July, and it’s the highest count since measles was declared eradicated from the U.S. in 2000.
How did we get here?
Most of this year’s surge is tied to a major outbreak in west Texas, but that’s not the whole story. According to data from Johns Hopkins Center for Outbreak Response Innovation and the CDC, cases have been confirmed in at least 39 states and jurisdictions. While Texas, New Mexico, and Kansas are seeing the biggest spikes, this isn’t a regional issue anymore,it’s national.
To put things in perspective: measles is incredibly contagious. If you’re unvaccinated and exposed, there’s a 92% chance you’ll get infected. That’s not a typo. And about 1 in 5 of those cases end up in the hospital.
So far, we’ve seen:
1,277 confirmed cases (and counting)
155 hospitalizations
3 confirmed deaths, including two heartbreaking losses among school-aged children in Texas
What’s happening in Texas?
Texas has become ground zero for this outbreak. As of July 1, 36 counties across the state have reported confirmed cases. The total has hit 753,nearly 60% of all U.S. cases so far this year.
I spoke to a public health contact in Austin who shared that vaccine hesitancy and misinformation are key contributors. “It’s not just travelers,” she told me. “It’s communities with low vaccination coverage.”
How to know if you or your child might have measles
Measles isn’t one of those illnesses that tiptoes into your system quietly. It hits hard and fast,usually 7 to 14 days after exposure.
Typical symptoms include:
High fever (sometimes spiking over 104°F)
Persistent cough
Runny nose
Red, watery eyes
A distinct rash that starts on the head and spreads downward
One early telltale sign? Tiny white spots inside the mouth,called Koplik’s spots. These usually show up a few days before the rash does.
The rash itself
The rash appears 3 to 5 days after the initial symptoms. It usually starts as flat red spots that may merge together. Small, raised bumps can follow, and when the rash hits, the fever often spikes even higher.
What you can do right now
Here’s the good news: measles is entirely preventable. The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine is highly effective. Two doses provide about 97% protection.
If you’re not sure whether you or your kids are vaccinated, check your records and talk to your doctor. It’s worth it. And if you’ve been around someone with measles or are showing symptoms,stay home, call your healthcare provider, and avoid spreading it further.
Also, if you’re traveling,especially internationally,get protected before you go.
Final thought
We’ve lived through enough health crises recently to know that early action saves lives. This measles outbreak reminds us that public health isn’t just a system,it’s a shared responsibility.
You can’t control where the virus pops up next, but you can protect yourself and others. Get vaccinated. Know the signs. Spread facts, not fear.
Stay safe out there.