The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today reported 84 more measles cases, boosting the national total to 884, keeping the nation on pace to experience its worst year since the nation eliminated the disease in 2000.
So far, 30 jurisdictions have reported cases, up 5 from the previous week. One more outbreak was reported, bringing that total to 11, the largest one centered in West Texas. The CDC said 820 (83%) of the cases so far are part of outbreaks.
Among those infected, 97% were unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status. So far, 94 patients have been hospitalized, and the number of deaths remains at 3.
Growing totals in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma
The Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS) today reported 22 more cases since its last update on April 22, pushing its total in the West Texas outbreak to 646. Outbreak-related infections have been reported from 26 counties, 1 more than the state’s last update. Just over 60% of the cases are from Gaines County, where the outbreak began in January.
However, the state is investigating 29 illnesses in eight other counties that don’t appear to be part of the larger outbreak. Some of the latest affected counties are Atascosa in the far south and Collin near the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Other states, including New Mexico and Oklahoma, have reported measles cases linked to the West Texas outbreak, and those states reported a few more cases today. The New Mexico Department of Health reported one more case from Eddy County, raising the state’s total to 66. The Oklahoma State Department of Health reported two more cases, both confirmed, lifting its total to 15, of which 3 are listed as probable.
Illinois reports first case
As the number of affected states continues to climb, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) this week reported the state’s first measles case of the year, which involves an adult in the far southern part of the state.
Officials didn’t say how the person was exposed but said they are working with local officials to identify potential exposure locations. The illness is Illinois’ first since 2024, when it battled a Chicago outbreak linked to a migrant shelter that resulted in 67 cases.
