Measles is popping up in the US. Here’s how to avoid one of the world’s most contagious viruses
Measles is not often seen in the United States, but Americans are growing more concerned about the preventable virus as cases continue to rise in rural West Texas.
Last week, an unvaccinated child died in the outbreak, which involves nearly 200 cases.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the last confirmed measles death in the United States was in 2015. The agency on Tuesday posted a message on X saying that “CDC is on the ground in TX,” indicating that the state had requested federal assistance in investigating and controlling the outbreak.
Here’s what to know about the measles and how to protect yourself.
Where have measles cases been reported in the U.S.?
Besides Texas, which has had the most measles cases of any U.S. state this year, there are also 30 cases in New Mexico. The state health department there has said there is no direct connection to the outbreak in Texas.
Measles cases also have been reported in Alaska, California, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.
The CDC defines an outbreak as three or more related cases. Three measles clusters have qualified as outbreaks in 2025, the agency said. In the U.S., cases and outbreaks are generally traced to someone who caught the disease abroad. It can then spread, especially in communities with low vaccination rates.
What is measles?
It’s a respiratory disease caused by one of the world’s most contagious viruses. The virus is airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It most commonly affects kids.
“On average, one infected person may infect about 15 other people,” said Scott Weaver, a center of excellence director for the Global Virus Network, an international coalition. “There’s only a few viruses that even come close to that.”
Measles first infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes and a rash.