Los Angeles, May 17 || The United States has reported 1,024 measles cases so far in 2025, marking a sharp increase from previous years, according to the latest data released by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
A total of 14 measles outbreaks have been recorded nationwide this year. The CDC defines an outbreak as three or more related cases.
Confirmed infections have been reported across 31 US jurisdictions, with 128 hospitalisations and three deaths recorded, the CDC said.
Approximately 96 per cent of the cases occurred in individuals who were either unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown.
This year's total represents a significant surge compared to 2024, when just 285 cases were reported throughout the entire year. It is also the highest annual total since 2019, when 1,274 cases were documented, news agency reported.
The CDC stressed that vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent measles. Two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine provide strong protection against the disease.