CDC Says 91% of 60 Measles Hospitalizations Were Children in 762-Case West Texas Outbreak
Updated
Updated · American Hospital Association · May 29
CDC Says 91% of 60 Measles Hospitalizations Were Children in 762-Case West Texas Outbreak
4 articles · Updated · American Hospital Association · May 29
CDC said 60 people were hospitalized during the 2025 West Texas measles outbreak, which infected 762 people from late January to mid-August.
Nearly 91% of those hospitalized were under 18, and almost 56% were age 4 or younger, showing the outbreak hit young children hardest.
Among hospitalized adults ages 18 to 44, 4 of 5 were pregnant women in their third trimester.
Medical records reviewed for 54 patients showed all were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status, reinforcing concerns about falling measles immunization coverage.
With a new outbreak dwarfing last year's, will the US lose its coveted measles elimination status this year?
As measles surges, what can be done to protect infants who are too young for their first vaccine?
Why is a disease conquered over two decades ago now sending a new generation of children to the ICU?
1,983 Measles Cases in 2025: How Falling Vaccination Rates Sparked a US Public Health Crisis
Overview
In 2025, measles made a dramatic comeback in the United States, with nearly 2,000 confirmed cases by 2026—most linked to outbreaks that began the previous year. Measles is the most contagious airborne disease, spreading easily when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The resurgence is mainly due to falling vaccination rates, leaving millions of children vulnerable. This has led to severe health risks, including complications and even death, and has placed a heavy burden on healthcare systems. Experts warn that without urgent action to restore vaccination coverage, both cases and deaths will likely keep rising.