The United States is currently in the midst of a historic measles outbreak. Since then, more than 1,000 confirmed cases have been reported in 11 states. Texas has helped propel the nation’s business community off the cliff into this health crisis, responsible for 709 of these cases. As you may recall, the outbreak began nearly three months ago. In Texas, daily hospitalization rates have been nothing short of alarming, as 92% of those infected have required hospitalization.
Currently, Canada is being rocked by an outbreak of measles, as the story continues to develop. Infections in Ontario have totaled 1,440 from mid-October to May 6. This new high point features a concerning jump of 197 cases in just one week. The ongoing outbreaks pose serious public health challenges as officials work to contain the spread of the highly infectious virus.
Texas at the Epicenter
The Texas measles outbreak has mostly affected Gaines County, which has a population of under 23,000. In fact, a jaw-dropping 57% of cases in all of Texas came from this tiny community, which has gained attention in recent years for their distrust of vaccines. Among the children infected are two unvaccinated children, ages six and eight. These children, however, have no known underlying health conditions.
The Texas outbreak is traced to a much narrower strain of the virus. That same strain is behind the outbreaks that are currently spreading across the globe. The World Health Organization (WHO) has suggested that the majority of cases are imported, or at least traceable to importation.
“The majority of cases have occurred among people between 1 and 29 years [old], who are either unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status,” – World Health Organization (WHO)
Health officials continue to actively monitor and investigate the situation. They are working to increase vaccination coverage against measles to stop further transmission, especially in at-risk communities.
Regional and International Impact
The measles epidemic, no doubt, is a global medical emergency. In Mexico, 1,041 cases have been confirmed so far, including one death reported in the state of Chihuahua as of last Friday. Ontario, Canada, has seen an equally fast rise in cases. This reality highlights the growing need for international monitoring and collaboration in global public health efforts.
Last fall, the WHO announced a worldwide fivefold increase in confirmed measles cases. This unprecedented increase happened between January 1 and April 18, 2025. This alarming trend emphasizes the necessity for immediate action to address vaccination gaps and educate communities about the dangers of measles.
“Additionally, most cases are imported or linked to importation.” – World Health Organization (WHO)
Health departments in the deeply impacted areas are quickly and urgently deploying resources to fight this outbreak. Alongside this, they’re challenging communities to get involved in vaccinating their neighbors.
Fatalities and Public Health Response
Unfortunately, these measles outbreaks have led to three measles-related deaths confirmed in 2025. One dramatic example was of the recent death of an unvaccinated adult in New Mexico, who died of a secondary measles-related condition.
Given these preventable deaths, federal and local health officials are encouraging the public to understand that vaccinations can be safe and effective. As of Wednesday, the state department has confirmed two deaths of school-aged children in West Texas. This tragic news adds renewed urgency to the cause.
“There have been two fatalities in school-aged children who lived in the outbreak area [West Texas],” – The state department
