US measles count now tops 1,200 cases, and Iowa announces an outbreak

The U.S. logged fewer than 20 measles cases this week, though Iowa announced the state's first outbreak Thursday and Georgia confirmed its second Wednesday.
There have been 1,214 confirmed measles cases this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday. Health officials in Texas, where the nation's biggest outbreak raged during the late winter and spring, confirmed six cases in the last week.
There are three other major outbreaks in North America. The longest, in Ontario, Canada, has resulted in 2,179 cases from mid-October through June 17. The province logged its first death June 5 in a baby who got congenital measles but also had other preexisting conditions.
Another outbreak in Alberta, Canada, has sickened 996 as of Thursday. And the Mexican state of Chihuahua had 2,335 measles cases and four deaths as of Friday, according to data from the state health ministry.
Other U.S. states with active outbreaks — which the CDC defines as three or more related cases — include Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota and Oklahoma.
In the U.S., two elementary school-aged children in the epicenter in West Texas and an adult in New Mexico have died of measles this year. All were unvaccinated.
Measles vaccination rates drop after COVID-19 pandemic in counties across the USMeasles is caused by a highly contagious virus that's airborne and spreads easily when an infected person breathes, sneezes or coughs. It is preventable through vaccines and has been considered eliminated from the U.S. since 2000.
There are a total of 750 cases across 35 counties, most of them in West Texas, state health officials said Tuesday.
Throughout the outbreak, 97 people have been hospitalized.
State health officials estimated less than 1% of cases — fewer than 10 — are actively infectious. Fifty-five percent of Texas' cases are in Gaines County, where the virus started spreading in a close-knit, undervaccinated Mennonite community. The county has had 413 cases since late January — just under 2% of its residents.
The April 3 death in Texas was an 8-year-old child, according to Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Local health officials said the child did not have underlying health conditions and died of 'what the child's doctor described as measles pulmonary failure.' A unvaccinated child with no underlying conditions died of measles in Texas in late February; Kennedy said the child was 6.
New Mexico held steady Friday with a total of 81 cases.
Seven people have been hospitalized since the outbreak started. Most of the state's cases are in Lea County. Sandoval County near Albuquerque has six cases, Eddy County has three, Doña Ana County has two. Chaves, Curry and San Juan counties have one each.
An unvaccinated adult died of measles-related illness March 6. The person did not seek medical care.
Oklahoma added one case Friday for a total of 17 confirmed and three probable cases.
The state health department is not releasing which counties have cases.
Arizona has four cases in Navajo County. They are linked to a single source, the county health department said June 9. All four were unvaccinated and had a history of recent international travel.
Colorado has seen a total of 16 measles cases in 2025, which includes one outbreak of 10 related cases.
The outbreak is linked to a Turkish Airlines flight that landed at Denver International Airport in mid-May. Four of the people were on the flight with the first case — an out-of-state traveler not included in the state count — while five got measles from exposure in the airport and one elsewhere.
Health officials are also tracking an unrelated case in a Boulder County resident. The person was fully vaccinated but had 'recently traveled to Europe, where there are a large number of measles cases,' the state health department said.
Other counties that have seen measles this year include Archuleta and Pueblo.
Georgia has an outbreak of three cases in metro Atlanta, with the most recent infection confirmed Wednesday.
The state has confirmed six total cases in 2025. The remaining three are part of an unrelated outbreak from January.
Illinois health officials confirmed a four-case outbreak on May 5 in the far southern part of the state. It grew to eight cases as of June 6, but no new cases were reported in the following weeks, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
The state's other two cases so far this year were in Cook County, and are unrelated to the southern Illinois outbreak.
Illinois unveils online tool showing measles vaccination rates by schoolIowa has had six total measles cases in 2025.
Four are part of an outbreak in eastern Johnson County, among members of the same household. County health officials said the people are isolating at home, so they don't expect additional spread.
Kansas has a total of 79 cases across 11 counties in the southwestern part of the state, with three hospitalizations. All but three of the cases are connected, and most are in Gray County.
Montana had 22 measles cases as of Friday. Fourteen were in Gallatin County, which is where the first cases showed up — Montana's first in 35 years.
Flathead and Yellowstone counties had two cases each, and Hill County had four cases.
There are outbreaks in neighboring North Dakota and the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan.
North Dakota, which hadn't seen measles since 2011, was up to 34 cases as of June 6, but has held steady since. Two of the people have been hospitalized. All of the people with confirmed cases were not vaccinated.
There were 16 cases in Williams County in western North Dakota on the Montana border. On the eastern side of the state, there were 10 cases in Grand Forks County and seven cases in Cass County. Burke County, in northwest North Dakota on the border of Saskatchewan, Canada, had one case.
Measles cases also have been reported this year in Alaska, Arkansas, California, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.
Health officials declared earlier outbreaks in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania over after six weeks of no new cases. Tennessee's outbreak also appears to be over.
Cases and outbreaks in the U.S. are frequently traced to someone who caught the disease abroad. The CDC said in May that more than twice as many measles have come from outside of the U.S. compared to May of last year. Most of those are in unvaccinated Americans returning home. In 2019, the U.S. saw 1,274 cases and almost lost its status of having eliminated measles.
The best way to avoid measles is to get the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine. The first shot is recommended for children between 12 and 15 months old and the second between 4 and 6 years old.
Getting another MMR shot as an adult is harmless if there are concerns about waning immunity, the CDC says. People who have documentation of receiving a live measles vaccine in the 1960s don't need to be revaccinated, but people who were immunized before 1968 with an ineffective vaccine made from 'killed' virus should be revaccinated with at least one dose, the agency said.
People who have documentation that they had measles are immune and those born before 1957 generally don't need the shots because so many children got measles back then that they have 'presumptive immunity.'
Measles has a harder time spreading through communities with high vaccination rates — above 95% — due to 'herd immunity.' But childhood vaccination rates have declined nationwide since the pandemic and more parents are claiming religious or personal conscience waivers to exempt their kids from required shots.
Measles first infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, causing a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes and a rash.
The rash generally appears three to five days after the first symptoms, beginning as flat red spots on the face and then spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet. When the rash appears, the fever may spike over 104 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the CDC.
Most kids will recover from measles, but infection can lead to dangerous complications such as pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling and death.
There's no specific treatment for measles, so doctors generally try to alleviate symptoms, prevent complications and keep patients comfortable.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Fox News

3 hours ago

• Fox News

Dental experts reveal 6 essential tips to prevent tooth loss in aging adults

Some may assume that losing teeth is just part of growing older. Around 11% of adults between the ages of 65 and 74 have lost all of their teeth, according to 2020 data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — and that number rises to one in five at age 75 and older. But according to experts, this isn't inevitable. Dental professionals shared the following tips to prevent tooth loss and boost overall health. About two in three adults over age 65 are dealing with some form of gum disease, according to a recently published AARP report. Clinical experts cited in the report, including Dr. Uchenna Akosa, assistant professor and director at Rutgers Health University Dental Associates in New Jersey, warn that bleeding gums can signal a much deeper problem. "Even if you have not lost any teeth, gum disease impairs your ability to chew hard food," Akosa told AARP. "That will affect your nutrition and can put you at risk of malnutrition in the future." Left untreated, gum disease can also destroy the bones that hold teeth in place and may interfere with nutrition and chewing. Gum disease is also a source of chronic inflammation in the body, which can contribute to dementia risk, studies have shown. A meta-analysis of about 34,000 people found that older adults who had lost all of their teeth had a 1.4 times greater risk of developing dementia, as cited by AARP. The publication also points to previous research linking gum disease to other health risks, such as heart attack, stroke and cancer. Around 11% of adults between the ages of 65 and 74 have lost all of their teeth. Experts recommend focusing on early prevention. If your gums bleed when brushing, or if you notice sensitivity or recession, those are signs to schedule a dental visit. Regular professional cleanings and checkups can catch gum problems before they lead to tooth loss or other health effects. AARP reports that switching to an electric toothbrush, brushing twice daily for two minutes and using a water flosser are all effective ways to protect gum health. Dr. David Frey, a cosmetic dentist at Your Perfect Smile in Beverly Hills, California, said that he often recommends water flossers – particularly the Sonic-Fusion by Waterpik – to older patients. "It's especially valuable for patients with arthritis, limited mobility or trouble using traditional floss," Frey told Fox News Digital. Saliva plays an essential role in neutralizing acids and protecting tooth enamel, but dry mouth affects nearly six in 10 older adults, according to AARP. Many common medications — including antihistamines, antidepressants and blood pressure drugs — can reduce saliva production, making the mouth more prone to tooth decay, infection and gum disease, WebMD states. To prevent dry mouth, AARP recommends sipping water regularly, rinsing the mouth after eating, asking your dentist about prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste, and using dry mouth rinses like Biotene or Act. Contrary to the standard six-month checkup rule, AARP notes that dental care schedules should be personalized. One doctor in the report noted that there's "nothing magical about a six-month checkup" — some people may only need to go once a year, while others, especially those with chronic conditions, may need more frequent visits. Oral health issues in older adults often go unnoticed, especially those related to bite alignment, according to Frey. "Bite-related issues are often an overlooked source of headaches and neck pain," he told Fox News Digital. "The public simply hasn't been informed that tension, misalignment and jaw dysfunction can manifest in ways that seem unrelated at first glance." Evaluating bite position and jaw health can sometimes reveal the root causes of chronic discomfort, Frey noted. "When I combine 3D imaging with a close exam of the teeth — worn surfaces, tiny fractures and chipping — it often reveals that the muscles around the head and neck aren't in harmony with the bite." Only three in 10 adults over 65 have dental insurance, per the American Dental Association, and Medicare typically doesn't cover cleanings, fillings or other routine procedures. This financial gap often leads people to skip dental care altogether, which can cause more serious (and expensive) problems in the future. AARP suggests looking into dental savings plans, local dental schools or sliding-scale community clinics if coverage is an issue. Smoking is a major contributor to tooth loss. CDC data shows that smokers are up to three times more likely to lose all their teeth than non-smokers. And while sugary cough drops or hard candies may seem harmless, they can be damaging to tooth enamel over time, experts warn. Switching to sugar-free gum or candies containing xylitol may help prevent cavities and support better oral health, Akosa told AARP. One of the biggest misconceptions about aging and dental health is that worn, discolored teeth are something to simply accept, according to Frey. "It's not just about revitalizing the teeth — it's about revitalizing the person." "A delicate, thin porcelain veneer can restore the vitality, color and shape your teeth once had, enhancing your smile and overall appearance," he told Fox News Digital. "And it's not just cosmetic — it's about restoring health, confidence and proper function." According to Dr. Frey, "It's not just about revitalizing the teeth — it's about revitalizing the person." For those looking to brighten their smile, Erin Fraundorf, founder of BOCA Orthodontic and Whitening Studio in St. Louis, recommends seeing a dentist before trying any whitening treatments, per the AARP report. For more Health articles, visit "In-office treatments remain the safest, most effective option, while professional-grade take-home kits and OTC products can be great for maintenance," Fraundorf said.

Boston Globe

7 hours ago

• Boston Globe

Mass. considers scrapping religious exemptions for vaccinations

Advertisement In Massachusetts, parents can write a letter stating that a vaccine conflicts with their 'sincerely held religious belief' in order to exempt their children from vaccination requirements needed to enroll in public schools. State Rep. Andy Vargas and State Sen. Edward Kennedy both Advocates who oppose the exemptions say that religious exceptions are being misused by parents who are hesitant about vaccinating their children. Advertisement 'It's definitely a general pattern of people abusing the exemption, especially since But parents across the state came to Beacon Hill to testify in support of religious exemptions at a hearing of the Legislature's Joint Committee on Public Health. They said exemptions were essential to their first amendment right to practice their religion and to honor the concept of informed consent. 'I'm curious why diversity, equity and inclusion is not being applied to those with sincerely held religious beliefs,' Lisa Ottaviano said while testifying at the hearing. Some speakers at the hearing said they were uncomfortable with the components of certain vaccines. 'We should not be forced into violating our moral conscience by injecting products developed from aborted fetuses such as the MMR, the varicella vaccines,' said Nicholas Kottenstette, a Catholic father of four from Sterling, Massachusetts. Vaccines don't contain fetal cells, Others testifying against the bill said they wanted to protect religious exemptions because they felt that accountability measures for vaccine manufacturers were insufficient. 'I started meeting more people whose children had reactions to vaccines that were adverse, so I started doing my own research and learnt a lot of concerning things like how pharmaceutical companies have legal protection against being sued,' Maureen Trettel, a grandmother from Milford said. Advertisement Similar bills have been filed in previous sessions, so the debate over religious exemptions for vaccines in Massachusetts has been going on since at least 2019, well before the COVID-19 pandemic that made vaccines a polarizing issue. The elevation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine skeptic, to U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services has drawn even more interest to the issue. Last week, Kennedy Logan Beyer, an aspiring pediatrician pursuing an MD/PhD degree in public health at Harvard, spoke in favor of eliminating religious exemptions. While volunteering at a Special Olympics event, Beyer spoke to a parent who told her that she was worried that vaccines caused autism. The mother told Beyer that she was planning to apply for a religious exemption because she was unsure about vaccinating her children. 'She told me that her family 'didn't really go to church' but you don't have to prove anything to get the exemption,' Beyer said. Beyer said that this incident made her concerned about growing vaccine hesitancy and inspired her to testify. 'At the hearing, so many parents said they just want to do what's best for their children … I love that instinct,' Beyer said, 'But I know that passing policies that help facilitate more kids getting vaccinated is really what can keep children safe.' Advertisement Harrison, mother of cancer-survivor Miranda, also understands the instinct of parents on the other side of the issue, even if she disagrees with them. In addition to Miranda, Harrison has twin six-year old boys who both have autism. 'I can know the grief and shock that parents experience when they find out their kid has autism. I get it,' Harrison said. 'But vaccines are not to blame ... autism is a result of Around 16,000 children in Massachusetts are unvaccinated without claiming an exemption — a group that the state describes as 'noncompliant students' in its documents. Many parents in opposition to the bills questioned why the bills were trained just on the 2,000 students who did have religious exemptions. 'I'm curious why the Legislature is targeting the small percentage of children with religious exemptions and ignoring the huge gap population,' said Ottaviano testifying at the hearing. Advocates for the bills said the new provisions that mandate that all schools must report vaccination numbers to the state's department of public health would address these noncompliant students as well. 'That's what the data reporting is about, we want to make sure that schools have accurate records,' Blair of Massachusetts Families for Vaccines said. 'If there is a gap … they should reach out to those students to find out why the records are not on file.' Speakers in favor of the bills were focused on eliminating religious exemptions in order to protect children who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons like allergies or problems with their immune systems. 'It's actually those people … that we're really doing this for, because they're the ones who depend on herd immunity,' Blair said. Advertisement Angela Mathew can be reached at

Forbes

8 hours ago

• Forbes

CDC Vaccine Advisors To Vote On Thimerosal In Flu Shots. Here's What To Know About Thimerosal

ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 05: A podium with the logo for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ... More at the Tom Harkin Global Communications Center on October 5, 2014 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is set to vote later this week on the issue of thimerosal in flu vaccines. What exactly is thimerosal and is it actually harmful for people that take vaccines containing the substance? Thimerosal is a mercury-based organic preservative that historically was put in several vaccines in low quantities in order to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi, particularly when multi-dose vials were used. Vaccines can become accidentally contaminated, as may occur with multiple needle punctures with multi-dose vials. Before the late 1990's, infants were recommended to receive three vaccines that contained thimerosal- hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b and diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis. There are no known health risks associated with thimerosal at the concentrations used in vaccines, according to the FDA. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. disagrees. In his 2014 book, he states (as reported in Politico), 'there is a virtually unanimous scientific consensus among the hundreds of research scientists who have published peer-reviewed articles in the field that Thimerosal is immensely toxic to brain tissue.' Thimerosal, as a preservative gets metabolized as ethylmercury, which is distinct from the more toxic methylmercury. In large doses, both compounds can be toxic to the brain and kidney, resulting in tremors, memory loss, mood swings, depression, protein in the urine and kidney damage. However, ethylmercury poses a significantly decreased risk for humans because it has a much shorter half-life of less than week compared to methylmercury, which has a half-life of 1.5 months according to the World Health Organization. Ethylmercury is removed from the body fast and actively excreted into the gut, as oppose to methylmercury that can accumulate in the body and result in potential toxic effects. In 1999, because of scientific uncertainty at the time and theoretical concerns about thimerosal, the preservative was removed from nearly all childhood vaccines as a precautionary measure per the FDA, not because it was shown to cause any harm. The only childhood vaccine that still contains thimerosal in some formulations is the flu vaccine. Part of the reason thimerosal was removed from childhood vaccines was because an infant in the early 1990s receiving childhood vaccines could be exposed to a cumulative dose of mercury as high as 187.5 micrograms by the age of 6 months, which exceeded the guidelines put forth by the EPA, but not the WHO. Even at a dose of 187.5 micrograms of ethylmercury, no studies have shown adverse health effects or harm to humans, other than local skin reactions at the injection site of the vaccine, as shown in a study published in the journal Pediatrics. Despite what Secretary of HHS Kennedy has suggested, thimerosal has not been shown to cause autism. In fact both the FDA and multiple peer-reviewed scientific studies have asserted and shown no link between thimerosal use in vaccines and autism. The use of thimerosal in U.S. FDA licensed vaccines has significantly declined because of reformulations and the availability of vaccines in single-dose containers. Currently, a couple of flu vaccines are formulated to contain thimerosal, although the majority of flu vaccines that currently exist do not contain thimerosal. The ACIP will convene later this week to hold a vote on the status of thimerosal on vaccines. Even if completely removed from the flu vaccine, the vaccine will not 'become' safer, as decades of research has already shown thimerosal to be safe and effective as a preservative. Experts warn that holding the vote could cast doubt on vaccine uptake. Dr. Jeremy Faust, Editor-in-Chief of MedPage Today, writes, 'Elevating this debunked myth to national policy lends credence to misinformation, and sets the stage for other actions that may undermine vaccine confidence in the United States.'