New figures released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show a steep and troubling increase in cases of a highly contagious disease across the United States.
According to the public health agency, the nation has now surpassed 2,000 cases—the highest total recorded in more than three decades. Experts believe the surge may be connected to the growing influence of anti-vaccine advocacy.
The illness is measles, a viral infection that typically starts with cold-like symptoms such as fever, cough, and a runny nose, and is usually followed by a blotchy red rash. As of December 23, the United States had confirmed 2,012 measles cases.
With modern medical advances and widespread vaccination, measles cases in the U.S. had steadily declined for years. The last time the country saw numbers this high was in 1992, when CDC data shows 2,126 infections were confirmed.
In recent years, however, more Americans have chosen not to get vaccinated, often citing political beliefs. Some experts say this shift has helped drive a broader worldwide rebound in measles, pushing global totals to a 25-year high.
The measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine—up to 93 percent effective—has faced scrutiny within Donald Trump’s government, even as case counts continue to climb nationwide.
Measles is not only highly contagious, but it can also be dangerous. Data indicates that 11 percent of infected individuals required hospitalization, and more than half of those hospitalized were under 19 years old.
The CDC reports that 93 percent of people diagnosed with measles in 2025 were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status.
The remaining seven percent had received at least one dose of the MMR vaccine—three percent had received one dose, while four percent had completed the full two-dose series.
In total, 50 measles outbreaks were reported in 2025, including an ongoing outbreak in South Carolina. That number is far higher than the 16 outbreaks recorded in 2024.
South Carolina’s Department of Public Health confirmed 176 cases as of December 30, with most reported in Spartanburg County, located along the border with North Carolina.
Because of the outbreak, hundreds of students across the state have been required to quarantine at home.
The CDC recommends two doses of the MMR vaccine: the first between 12 and 15 months of age, and the second between four and six years old.
One dose is about 93 percent effective, while two doses increase effectiveness to 97 percent.
Measles was officially eliminated from the Americas in 2016, but the region now risks losing its measles-free status due to the resurgence of outbreaks.
Across 10 countries in North and Latin America, a total of 11,668 cases have been reported, according to the latest data from the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO).
Previously, Rosana Richtmann—an infectious disease specialist and coordinator of the Brazilian Society of Infectious Disease’s Immunization Committee—described the U.S. stance on vaccination as an “outrage,” warning that without a stronger push to vaccinate, the “problem” would only continue to worsen.
