### Measles Resurgence: Over 1,000 Cases Reported in the U.S. Amid Declining Vaccination Rates The United States is currently experiencing a significant resurgence of measles, with over 1,000 confirmed cases reported as of May 15, 2025. This outbreak marks the highest number of cases since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has indicated that the majority of these cases are among unvaccinated individuals, highlighting a troubling trend of declining vaccination rates across the country. The outbreak has been particularly severe in Texas, where a large number of cases have been concentrated, prompting health officials to urge increased vaccination efforts and public awareness campaigns to combat the spread of this preventable disease [https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5305174-measles-cases-us-cdc, https://www.news-medical.net/news/20250516/Measles-cases-surge-in-the-United-States-amid-falling-vaccination-rates.aspx]. ### Breakdown of the Current Measles Outbreak 1. **Current Statistics**: - As of May 15, 2025, there are **1,024 confirmed measles cases** across **31 states** [https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5305174-measles-cases-us-cdc]. - **13% of those infected have been hospitalized** due to complications from the disease [https://www.abc27.com/news/us-measles-cases-surpass-1k-cdc]. 2. **Geographical Spread**: - The outbreak is particularly severe in **Texas**, which has reported **718 cases**, with **96% of those unvaccinated** [https://www.mrt.com/news/health_and_wellness/article/west-texas-measles-outbreak-20331628.php]. - Other states, including **New Mexico** and **Kansas**, are also experiencing rising case numbers linked to the Texas outbreak [https://www.mrt.com/news/health_and_wellness/article/west-texas-measles-outbreak-20331628.php, https://news4sanantonio.com/news/instagram/us-tops-1000-measles-cases-as-outbreak-reaches-dfw]. 3. **Vaccination Rates**: - The CDC has noted a **decline in vaccination rates**, which is a significant factor contributing to the outbreak. The majority of cases are among individuals who are unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status [https://abcnews.go.com/Health/measles-cases-reach-1024-us-infections-confirmed-30/story?id=121869702]. ### Supporting Data on Measles Cases - **Total Cases**: 1,024 confirmed cases as of May 15, 2025. - **Hospitalization Rate**: 13% of infected individuals have required hospitalization. - **State Breakdown**: - Texas: 718 cases - New Mexico: 74 cases - Kansas: 8 new cases reported in a week [https://www.mrt.com/news/health_and_wellness/article/west-texas-measles-outbreak-20331628.php, https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/article/measles-cases-in-texas-rise-by-eight-to-717-state-health-department-says]. ### Conclusion: Urgent Need for Vaccination and Public Awareness The current measles outbreak in the U.S. underscores a critical public health challenge, with **over 1,000 cases reported** and a significant portion of the population unvaccinated. The situation is exacerbated by declining vaccination rates, particularly in communities with vaccine skepticism. 1. **Immediate Action Required**: Health officials are urging increased vaccination efforts to prevent further spread. 2. **Public Awareness Campaigns**: There is a need for robust public health campaigns to educate communities about the importance of vaccination. 3. **Monitoring and Response**: Ongoing monitoring of outbreak developments is essential to manage and contain the spread of measles effectively [https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5305174-measles-cases-us-cdc, https://www.news-medical.net/news/20250516/Measles-cases-surge-in-the-United-States-amid-falling-vaccination-rates.aspx].