Brady Collins
There is growing concern among health experts about the resurgence of measles, a highly contagious disease, in several communities across the United States. Measles was previously declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000 due to successful vaccination campaigns. However, recent outbreaks, particularly in Texas and New Mexico, have raised questions about the role of unvaccinated individuals in spreading the virus. While it is true that vaccinated individuals can still contract measles, the available data suggests that the majority of cases occur in those who are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination statuses.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Measles is preventable through vaccines | Yes |
| Measles is airborne | Yes |
| Measles is highly contagious | Yes |
| Measles spreads through communities with low vaccination rates | Yes |
| Measles can cause severe complications in unvaccinated children | Yes |
| Measles can cause "immune amnesia" | Yes |
| Measles can be spread by people who are infected but don't know it yet | Yes |
| Measles can be spread by people who are vaccinated | Unclear |
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What You'll Learn
- Measles is highly contagious and airborne, spreading easily when infected people breathe, sneeze or cough
- Vaccination rates have been falling in the US, creating pockets of opportunity for measles to spread
- Unvaccinated children are more susceptible to measles, with a higher risk of severe complications and even death
- Adults are also at risk, especially those who are immunocompromised, pregnant or unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons
- Contact tracing, quarantining suspected cases and increasing vaccination rates are key to controlling outbreaks
Measles is highly contagious and airborne, spreading easily when infected people breathe, sneeze or cough
Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease. It is caused by a virus that spreads easily through the air and settles on surfaces. When an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, droplets containing the virus spray into the air and can infect people who breathe them in. These droplets can also land on surfaces, and a person can become infected by touching these surfaces and then touching their mouth, nose, or eyes.
The virus is highly contagious, and about 90% of people who are not immune will become infected when exposed. Measles is so contagious that it was once a common childhood disease, and even today, outbreaks occur in communities with low vaccination rates. The risk of infection is higher for people who are unvaccinated, have only received one dose of the vaccine, or have weakened immune systems. Infants who are too young to be vaccinated are also at higher risk.
The contagious period for measles begins before the appearance of the characteristic measles rash. A person can spread the virus for about four days before the rash appears and for about four days after. During this time, infected people can easily transmit the virus through breathing, sneezing, or coughing.
The measles virus can have severe and even deadly complications. It can lead to life-threatening conditions such as brain inflammation and pneumonia. In children under five and individuals with severely weakened immune systems, measles can be especially dangerous. Additionally, measles can cause ""immune amnesia," making the body unable to defend itself against other illnesses it has previously encountered, leaving patients more susceptible to future infections.
The best way to prevent measles infection and reduce the spread is through vaccination. The measles vaccine provides protection against the virus, and widespread vaccination has eliminated measles as a common disease in many countries. However, maintaining high vaccination rates is crucial to preventing outbreaks and maintaining elimination status.
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Vaccination rates have been falling in the US, creating pockets of opportunity for measles to spread
Widespread vaccination halted the ongoing spread of measles in the US over 20 years ago, but the disease is now making a comeback. There have now been more measles cases in 2025 than in any other year since the contagious virus was eliminated in 2000. This is an alarming setback for the country's public health and raises concerns that deadly outbreaks of measles will become the new normal.
The largest outbreak by far is in Texas, with 753 cases reported this year. The outbreak started in January in a Mennonite community in West Texas and has since spread to New Mexico and Oklahoma. However, cases have also been reported in 38 other states. The kindergarten vaccination rate for measles in Gaines County, the epicenter of the outbreak in Texas, is just below 82%. This is well below the 95% vaccination rate threshold needed to protect communities against measles outbreaks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Nationwide, measles vaccination rates have been falling for years and are currently at 92.7%. In some communities, kindergarten vaccination rates are much lower, creating pockets of opportunity for measles to spread. For example, in Foard County, Texas, the vaccination rate is just under 67%. In a classroom with that vaccination rate, one infected child would infect five other unvaccinated classmates with measles on average.
The low vaccination rates are due in part to vaccine hesitancy, which has grown during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The suggestion that the measles vaccine causes autism has been discredited, but this misinformation has contributed to falling vaccination rates.
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Unvaccinated children are more susceptible to measles, with a higher risk of severe complications and even death
Measles is a highly contagious viral infection, and one of the most contagious of all known infections. Unvaccinated children are at a higher risk of contracting measles. Nine out of ten unimmunized children who come into contact with an infected person will contract the virus. The virus can linger in the air for about two hours after an infected person has left the room, and it can infect anyone who enters the room if they are unvaccinated.
The measles vaccine creates lasting protection in 95% of children who receive one dose and 99% of those who receive two doses. It is rare for an immunized child to develop an infection after exposure to someone with the disease. Even a single dose of the vaccine is highly effective in preventing infection. The first dose is recommended at 12-15 months, and the second dose is recommended at 4-6 years old, generally before children enter kindergarten.
In communities where vaccination rates are low, measles can spread quickly. For example, in a classroom with a vaccination rate of 67%, one infected child would infect, on average, five other unvaccinated classmates. In the US, there are pockets of unvaccinated people, even in states with high vaccination coverage, which underscores the continued susceptibility to measles at some local levels. This is particularly concerning as measles is a dangerous disease that can cause severe illness, death, or lifelong complications. For every 1,000 children who get measles, one or two will die, according to the CDC.
Therefore, it is critical that those who can be vaccinated receive the vaccine to protect those who cannot be vaccinated, such as infants and people with certain medical conditions or compromised immune systems.
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Adults are also at risk, especially those who are immunocompromised, pregnant or unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons
While children are more susceptible to measles, adults are also at risk, especially those who are immunocompromised, pregnant, or unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons. In El Paso, Texas, two-thirds of measles cases were among people over the age of 18, with only 7% of cases among school-age children. This trend may be due to the high vaccination rates among children in the area, with 96% of kindergartners and 98% of seventh graders fully vaccinated for measles.
The risk of severe illness and complications from measles is higher for adults, especially those who are immunocompromised or pregnant. Ben Neuman, a virologist at Texas A&M University, warns that anyone infected with measles, including healthy adults, runs the risk of the disease morphing into pneumonia or other serious complications. Measles can also cause "immune amnesia," leaving patients more susceptible to future infections.
Pregnant women who contract measles are at risk of miscarriage, preterm labour, and other pregnancy complications. The virus can also be transmitted to the fetus, resulting in congenital measles infection, which can cause severe birth defects and even be life-threatening.
For those who are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons, the risk of contracting measles is higher when vaccination rates in the community are low. This includes people who have had a bad reaction to the vaccine in the past or those with medical conditions that contraindicate vaccination. Their protection relies on herd immunity, which is achieved when a high enough percentage of the population is vaccinated, creating a barrier of protection around those who are unvaccinated.
The spread of measles in pockets of low vaccination, such as in West Texas and New Mexico, highlights the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to protect vulnerable individuals who cannot be vaccinated. By getting vaccinated, individuals can not only protect themselves but also play a crucial role in safeguarding those around them who are at higher risk.
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Contact tracing, quarantining suspected cases and increasing vaccination rates are key to controlling outbreaks
Contact tracing, quarantining suspected cases, and increasing vaccination rates are key to controlling outbreaks of infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and measles.
Contact tracing involves identifying individuals who have been in close contact with a person infected with a disease. By rapidly identifying and isolating these contacts, the spread of the disease can be effectively reduced. This strategy was crucial in controlling the COVID-19 outbreak, as the probability of controlling the outbreak increased with the number of contacts traced and isolated. Additionally, early and accurate case findings, through mass testing and active surveillance, are essential to maximize the effectiveness of contact tracing.
Quarantining suspected cases is another critical component of outbreak control. For COVID-19, immediate quarantine measures for individuals in close contact with positive cases were implemented to prevent possible epidemic rebounds. During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, quarantine systems at airports and ports were established to detect and contain the spread of the disease. However, it's important to note that screening methods may not provide 100% accuracy in case detection, and some cases may go unreported.
Increasing vaccination rates is essential to preventing outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. For example, the measles outbreak in the United States in 2025 primarily affected unvaccinated individuals, with 92% of confirmed cases being unvaccinated or of unknown vaccination status. Experts emphasize that low vaccination rates can lead to the re-emergence of diseases once considered eliminated, such as measles. Therefore, improving vaccination rates is crucial to protecting public health and preventing future outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Overall, the combination of effective contact tracing, timely quarantining of suspected cases, and high vaccination rates provides a comprehensive strategy to control and prevent outbreaks of infectious diseases. These measures work together to reduce the spread of diseases, protect vulnerable populations, and ensure the well-being of communities.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes. Unvaccinated people are more likely to spread the virus.
92% of people who contracted measles in the US were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccine status.
Measles is highly contagious and can cause complications like pneumonia, hearing loss, encephalitis, and, in rare cases, a degenerative neurological condition. It can also cause "immune amnesia," making the body unable to defend itself against other illnesses.
Vaccination has been shown to effectively halt the spread of measles. Widespread vaccination eliminated measles in the US over 20 years ago, but recent outbreaks have occurred due to declining vaccination rates.
Measles is an airborne disease that spreads easily from person to person through the air, coughs, and sneezes. It can linger in the air for hours after an infected person coughs or sneezes.
