US faces its worst measles epidemic of the 21st century, university says

The United States has surpassed its record number of measles cases in more than 30 years so far in 2025, according to a report by Johns Hopkins University released at a time when Donald Trump's health secretary is accused of worsening the health crisis.

Measles, which is highly contagious, had been eradicated in the country thanks to immunization, but an outbreak began in late January amid falling vaccination rates and growing public distrust of health authorities.

There have been 1,277 confirmed cases so far this year, 60% of them in the state of Texas, according to Johns Hopkins University.

This is the highest number of infections in the United States since 1992. At least three people – who were not vaccinated – have died from the disease. Among them, two young children.

Several experts maintain that the real number of cases is underestimated and have expressed concern about the lack of reporting.

The last childhood death from the disease in the United States occurred in 2003, three years after measles was officially declared eradicated thanks to vaccination.

The last measles outbreak was recorded in 2019 in Orthodox Jewish communities in New York and New Jersey, with 1,274 cases but no deaths.

Measles causes fever, respiratory problems and skin rashes and, in some cases, more serious complications, such as pneumonia and brain inflammation, which can cause serious consequences and death.

US Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. has been accused of making matters worse by spreading false information about the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, for example, by claiming it is dangerous and contains fetal remains.

The outbreak emerged in late January in a rural area of ​​Texas home to a Mennonite religious community, an ultra-conservative population with a low vaccination rate.

The United States' neighbors have also reported new outbreaks this year: Canada has more than 3,500 cases, including one death. Most of them are in the province of Ontario. Mexico has recorded 2,600 cases and nine deaths, according to the Pan American Health Organization.

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