Health authority: Largest measles outbreak in the USA in 35 years

According to the CDC, there is currently the largest measles outbreak in more than 35 years in the USA: 5,182 cases of the disease have already been confirmed this year, the authority announced. This was the highest number since 1991. In the whole of 2025, 2,289 cases were recorded, i.e. less than half of the infections registered so far this year.

An infant died of the disease in Wisconsin, the first death from measles in the state in more than three and a half decades, according to authorities. "The death of a child is always a tragedy," said Health Authority Director Kirsten Johnson - "and even more so when it is related to a vaccine-preventable disease." She appealed to people to “protect themselves and their families.”

Emergency in New York

On Monday, New York also reported the first measles death in the state in 30 years. Governor Kathy Hochul of the Democrats had already declared a state of emergency in October.

Measles was actually declared eradicated in the USA in 2000. Among other things, increased vaccine skepticism has promoted the renewed spread in recent years. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was brought into office by President Donald Trump, is a convinced vaccine skeptic.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. In addition to typical symptoms such as fever and red rash, life-threatening complications such as meningitis can occur.