MAP: Where are the biggest measles outbreaks in the US right now?
Share and Follow


(NEXSTAR) – A total of 800 measles cases across two dozen states have been confirmed, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.

As new cases pop up every week, at least 10 official outbreaks have occurred, according to the CDC. An outbreak is defined as three or more cases of measles that are related.

The largest known outbreak is in West Texas, where the case count nears 600, according to local health officials.

The CDC said it’s still investigating other probable measles cases that have been reported but not yet confirmed. Montana, for example, announced Friday the state has seen measles crop up for the first time since 1990.

The map below shows which states have measles cases confirmed by the CDC. States shown in red have a confirmed measles outbreak of three or more cases.

!function(){“use strict”;window.addEventListener(“message”,(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data[“datawrapper-height”]){var e=document.querySelectorAll(“iframe”);for(var t in a.data[“datawrapper-height”])for(var r,i=0;r=e[i];i++)if(r.contentWindow===a.source){var d=a.data[“datawrapper-height”][t]+”px”;r.style.height=d}}}))}();

Another outbreak not shown in the map above is being investigated, a CDC spokesperson told Nexstar. The agency isn’t yet releasing the location of the outbreak to protect patient privacy as officials investigate.

If the spread of measles continues as it has been, the U.S. risks losing its “measles elimination status,” a designation the country has had for 25 years.

The highly contagious virus is spreading quickest through communities with large numbers of unvaccinated or undervaccinated people. Dr. William Moss, an epidemiology professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and director of the school’s International Vaccine Access Center, likened recent measles activity to a forest fire.

“I like to think of this like a forest fire with sparks spreading out. If those sparks land in a community with low vaccine coverage, we’re going to see a larger measles outbreak. If it lands in a community with high vaccine coverage, we may only see one or a few cases,” he said.

The CDC reports 96% of cases so far have been in people who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown. The majority of those sickened have also been children.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like

Metropolitan Planning Commission Approves Expansion of Hotel Overlay District

SAVANNAH, Ga. () — In front of a packed meeting room, the…

Big-ticket items with huge discounts for October Prime Day

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details. We found…

Massive Snowstorm Triggers Rescue Operation for Hundreds of Hikers on Mount Everest

BEIJING – About 900 hikers, guides and other staff who were stranded…

Prominent Georgia Senator Visits Augusta While Campaigning for Lieutenant Governor Race

AUGUSTA, Ga. ()- The race for lieutenant governor of Georgia is heating…

Florida Alligator Festival celebrates tradition of alligator wrestling and 'Old Florida' spirit

BIG CYPRESS NATIONAL PRESERVE. Fla. — The second annual Florida Alligator Festival…

Augusta Officials Criticize and Support Charter Committee Formation Process

AUGUSTA, Ga. () – For Augusta city leaders, it’s been building feelings…

Labor Report Highlights Steady Job Growth and Rising Prices in the South

ATLANTA () — A new report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics…

Is Central Florida’s Cool Season About to Begin?

ORLANDO, Fla. – We are finally getting a much-need break Tuesday from…