US records worst measles outbreak in 35 years amid rising vaccine distrust

The United States is grappling with its most severe measles outbreak in 35 years, reporting 2,318 cases to date, a number that has already surpassed the total recorded for the entirety of 2025. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted a significant increase in infections, attributing the rise to growing vaccine hesitancy.

Last year, the U.S. documented 2,289 measles cases, including three fatalities, marking it as the highest case count in recent history. "We are witnessing a true preventable crisis that disproportionately affects children. We should not accept this as the new normal," stated Dr. Andrew Racine, President of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Measles, characterized by fever, respiratory symptoms, and a skin rash, can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia and encephalitis. In some instances, it can cause long-term health issues or prove fatal. The disease was declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000 due to widespread immunization coverage, but it has resurfaced in recent years as vaccination rates have declined and public trust in health authorities has eroded.

Concerns have been raised regarding the role of public figures in spreading misinformation. Notably, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., appointed under the Trump administration, has faced criticism for promoting anti-vaccine sentiments and casting doubt on scientifically proven vaccine efficacy and safety. The last time the U.S. recorded a comparable number of measles cases was in 1991, with 9,643 reported cases, before the widespread adoption of a two-dose immunization program.