Measles exposures reported at Newark and Boston airports
Measles exposures were reported at Newark Liberty and Boston Logan airports amid heavy holiday travel, raising concern about further spread. The CDC says the U.S. has recorded 2,012 cases as of Dec. 23 — the highest annual total in more than 30 years — with about 87% tied to 50 outbreaks and roughly 93% of those infected unvaccinated or of unknown vaccination status, and officials warn the surge could jeopardize the country’s WHO-recognized measles elimination status as debates over vaccine messaging, including from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., continue.
📌 Key Facts
- As of Dec. 23, 2025, the CDC reports 2,012 measles cases nationwide in 2025 — the highest annual total in more than 30 years.
- Forty-four jurisdictions have reported 1,988 of those cases; Texas (803), Arizona (187) and North Carolina (156) have the highest state counts.
- The CDC says 87% of cases are linked to 50 outbreaks, and about 93% of those infected were unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status.
- The CDC warns the surge and prolonged outbreaks could cause the U.S. to lose its WHO-recognized measles elimination status by the end of January 2026.
- Axios situates the surge amid Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s public efforts to downplay measles risks and question the measles vaccine.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2025, 26% of US measles cases were in children under 5 years, 42% in ages 5-19, and 32% in adults 20+ years.
In 2025, 11% of US measles cases resulted in hospitalization, with 20% hospitalization rate for cases under 5 years compared to 6% for 5-19 years and 11% for 20+ years.
There were 3 confirmed deaths from measles in the US in 2025.
US measles cases in 2025 are primarily imported by unvaccinated US residents traveling internationally, with 24 cases among international visitors.
A major measles outbreak in West Texas in 2025, contributing to the national surge, occurred in Mennonite communities with historically low vaccination rates.
Texas measles outbreak hardened Mennonites against vaccines — The Texas Tribune
In North Carolina, a 2025 measles outbreak affected a Mennonite community with vaccination coverage of about 82%.
North Carolina preps for potential measles outbreak — North Carolina Health News
Globally, measles cases surged in 2025, with surveillance data recording 239,816 suspected cases and 108,074 confirmed cases across all WHO regions as of August 2025.
Ten countries in the Americas report measles outbreaks in 2025 — Pan American Health Organization
📰 Sources (2)
- CDC reports 2,012 measles cases nationwide in 2025 as of Dec. 23, the highest annual total in more than 30 years.
- CDC says 87% of cases are linked to 50 outbreaks, and about 93% of those infected were unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status.
- 44 jurisdictions have reported 1,988 of the cases, with Texas (803), Arizona (187) and North Carolina (156) having the highest state counts.
- CDC warns the surge and prolonged outbreaks could cause the U.S. to lose its WHO-recognized measles elimination status by the end of January 2026.
- The piece situates the surge amid Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s public efforts to downplay measles risks and question the measles vaccine.