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Measles Cases Reach 2,065 in 2025 as South Carolina Outbreak Climbs to 185

Falling MMR coverage leaves outbreaks threatening the U.S. measles elimination status.

Overview

  • The CDC tallied 2,065 measles cases in 2025, the most in the United States since 1991 and more than seven times the 2024 total.
  • South Carolina reported 185 cases concentrated in the upstate region, with state officials saying 172 patients were unvaccinated and most are under 17.
  • An outbreak along the ArizonaUtah line exceeded 350 cases in 2025, and health authorities warn that continued spread could jeopardize the nation’s elimination designation later in January.
  • MMR coverage among incoming kindergarteners fell to 92.5% for 2024–25, below the ~95% level needed to prevent outbreaks, even though one dose is 93% effective and two doses are 97% effective.
  • South Carolina has nearly 300 people in quarantine as transmission continues in households, schools and churches, while a West Texas outbreak earlier in 2025 was declared over after hundreds of cases and three unvaccinated deaths.