Measles outbreak: Two more states in the US report new cases

Two more states, Oklahoma and Vermont have reported new cases of measles, bringing the total number of states affected by the outbreak to 15, according to state health officials. Two more ‘probable cases’ of measles were reported in Oklahoma on Mar 14, while Vermont, which is more than 1,500 miles northeast reported one case on Mar. 11.
On Friday, the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) confirmed two more probable cases of measles. The officials in a confirmed that the two new cases are associated with exposure to the Texas and New Mexico outbreak, and showed symptoms consistent with measles. They are being reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as probable cases. The state agency, however, hasn't disclosed the age of the two individuals or where they are located.

“These cases highlight the importance of being aware of measles activity as people travel or host visitors. When people know they have exposure risk and do not have immunity to measles, they can exclude themselves from public settings for the recommended duration to eliminate the risk of transmission in their community,” OSDH Director of Infectious Disease Prevention and Response Kendra Dougherty said in a statement.

On Tuesday, Mar. 11, Vermont officials too a case of measles in a 'school-aged child' in Lamoille County. The child became sick after returning with their family from traveling internationally in recent days. The officials said that the child has been isolated, and the risk to the public is believed to be ‘low’. This is the first case of measles in Vermont in 2025, following two cases in 2024 and two cases in the decade prior, one in 2011 and one in 2018. The Vermont Health Department also stated that the new case is not related to the three ongoing domestic outbreaks of measles in the United States or to the current measles outbreak in Québec.


According to the CDC, as of March 13, in the US, a total of 301 confirmed measles cases were reported by 15 jurisdictions: Alaska, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, and Washington. Out of this 34 percent of infected are children below the age of five, which is 103 cases. So far two deaths have been reported, of which 1 is confirmed measles, while the other is under investigation. According to the health agency, 89% of measles cases reported in the U.S. this year have occurred in individuals who were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status.

Measles is a highly contagious viral illness, which is transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. This serious airborne disease can lead to severe complications and even death, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Community-wide vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles, as per WHO.
(Pic courtesy: iStock)