U.S. Measles Outbreak Reaches 483 Cases, Largest in Decades

The outbreak, concentrated in Texas with 400 cases, has spread to 20 states, driven by low vaccination rates and posing significant public health challenges.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed 483 measles cases nationwide as of March 28, with 400 cases reported in Texas alone.
Two deaths have been linked to the outbreak: one confirmed in Texas and one under investigation in New Mexico, marking the first measles fatalities in the U.S. in over a decade.
The outbreak, which began in January in Gaines County, Texas, has spread to 20 states, including New Mexico, Kansas, and Oklahoma, with cases linked to low vaccination rates in affected areas.
Health officials report that 97% of cases involve unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status, highlighting the critical need for increased immunization efforts.
The World Health Organization has warned of the outbreak's potential global impact and advised international travelers to ensure they are vaccinated against measles before visiting the U.S.