Measles Tracker: May 5th Update
Case Hotspots
As of May 1, 2025, there have been 935 confirmed measles cases reported across 30 states and regions in the U.S.: Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.
New confirmed cases reported as of this reporting period
Texas (+37)
Kansas (+9)
Oklahoma (+3)
Most impacted age group: By total cases, 5–19 years (38% of all cases).
Highest hospitalization risk: Children under 5 years (23% hospitalized).
Vaccination status of cases: 96% were unvaccinated or unknown vaccination status.
Key Takeaways
Predominance Among the Unvaccinated: The majority of measles cases are occurring in unvaccinated individuals, underscoring the critical role of vaccination in preventing the disease.
Hospitalizations in Young Children: Children under the age of 5 represent nearly 1 in 5 measles-related hospitalizations, highlighting their vulnerability to severe outcomes.
High-Risk Groups: Young children and unvaccinated individuals are at the highest risk for complications from measles, including pneumonia and encephalitis (brain swelling).
Table Summarizing Measles (MMR) Vaccination Guidance:
Latest Articles
KFF Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust: The Public’s Views on Measles Outbreaks and Misinformation: As measles cases hit their highest levels since 2019, over half of U.S. adults and parents express concern—especially Black, Hispanic, and Democratic respondents. Yet despite high overall confidence in the safety of the MMR vaccine, misinformation is spreading fast: 63% of adults have heard the false autism link, and belief in vaccine-related myths has surged across political lines. One in three now say they’ve heard the dangerous claim that the measles vaccine is riskier than the disease itself. This growing uncertainty underscores the urgent need for clear, trusted public health communication.
Should You Get a Measles Vaccine Booster? While most adults don’t need a booster if they received two childhood MMR doses, certain groups—like healthcare workers, international travelers, and people vaccinated before 1968—should double-check their immunity. The MMR vaccine remains the most effective tool we have to prevent serious illness, complications, and further outbreaks.