Newark, New Jersey — The United States is poised to experience the highest annual measles case count since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000. So far this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed 1,267 measles cases across 38 states, a staggering increase compared to previous years. Of those infected, at least 155 individuals have been hospitalized, and the nation has witnessed three fatalities—two in Texas and one in New Mexico—marking the first measles deaths in the U.S. in over a decade.
The number of cases this year has already eclipsed the total reported for all of 2024. The last major outbreak occurred in 2019, when 1,274 infections were recorded, signaling the worst incident since the elimination effort began. The resurgence of cases has alarmed health officials who attribute these outbreaks to declining vaccination rates and increasing community hesitancy towards vaccines.
In New Jersey, while there is currently no documented ongoing spread of measles, health authorities are advising residents to stay vigilant, particularly regarding routine vaccinations. The New Jersey Department of Health is encouraging all citizens to verify their immunization statuses, especially before any international travel. Families traveling with infants aged 6 to 11 months are particularly urged to consult healthcare professionals about the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
The state has reported three measles cases this year, all linked to a household outbreak in February involving unvaccinated individuals. Measles, which is highly infectious, can remain airborne for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a room, creating significant risks in communities with lower vaccination rates.
Symptoms of the disease include high fever, cough, runny nose, and a distinctive red rash, which typically appears three to five days after initial symptoms. Measles poses the greatest threat to individuals who are either unvaccinated or have not previously contracted the disease. Alarmingly, preliminary data indicates that roughly 92% of this year’s cases involve individuals who either did not receive the MMR vaccine or have uncertain vaccination histories.
Data suggests that vaccination rates have noticeably declined following the COVID-19 pandemic. A recent study highlighted that 78% of counties in the U.S. experienced a reduction in MMR vaccinations, prompting concerns over potential measles outbreaks returning to historic levels. Public health experts assert that herd immunity, which requires a vaccination coverage of 95%, is critical for controlling measles, a threshold that is currently not being met in many communities.
In New Jersey, while 93% of kindergartners have received their necessary MMR doses, this represents a slight drop from previous years. Vaccination exemptions, particularly for religious reasons, have surged over the past decade, with over 24,000 students obtaining such waivers in the 2024-25 school year compared to just over 9,000 in 2014-15.
Regions like Atlantic, Cape May, and Monmouth counties are currently among those with the highest percentages of unvaccinated children. Local health officials emphasize the importance of vaccination as a barrier against the disease. As communities grapple with declining immunization rates, the focus remains on raising awareness and improving vaccination compliance to prevent further outbreaks.