Michigan Reports Second Measles Outbreak Amid Rising National Cases

Michigan has confirmed its second outbreak of measles this year, as the United States reports a total of 1,227 confirmed cases of the disease in 2025. While health officials are addressing the situation in Michigan, other states such as Utah and New Mexico are also facing their own outbreaks.

In Utah, there are currently seven recorded cases, while health workers in New Mexico are actively working to contain an outbreak that has arisen in a county jail. Interestingly, Texas has reported no new cases this week following a significant outbreak that persisted through the late winter and spring months.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicated that the United States has faced notable measles outbreaks this year, with 1,227 confirmed cases reported by Wednesday. There are three major outbreaks occurring across North America: one in Ontario, Canada, where 2,212 cases have been recorded since mid-October, including a tragic death of a baby due to congenital measles; another outbreak in Alberta, Canada, with 1,122 cases; and a severe situation in Chihuahua, Mexico, which has seen 2,485 cases and eight fatalities.

In the U.S., active outbreaks--defined by the CDC as three or more related cases--are not restricted to Michigan. Other states experiencing outbreaks include Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, and Oklahoma. Sadly, the U.S. has witnessed the deaths of two unvaccinated elementary school-aged children in Texas and an unvaccinated adult in New Mexico due to measles infection this year.

Measles is an exceptionally contagious viral disease that spreads through the air when an infected individual coughs, sneezes, or breathes. Vaccination is the primary preventive measure, and measles was considered eliminated in the United States since the year 2000.

As of the latest updates from Texas, the state remains stable with 750 outbreak-related cases spread across 35 counties, predominantly in West Texas. Since the outbreak began, there have been 97 hospitalizations. Notably, 55% of these cases are concentrated in Gaines County, where the outbreak originated within a close-knit, undervaccinated Mennonite community.

The Grand Traverse County health officials in Michigan confirmed an outbreak involving three cases, following the conclusion of a previous outbreak in Montcalm County earlier this month. In total, Michigan has recorded 16 measles cases so far in 2025.

In New Mexico, the number of confirmed measles cases has risen to 86, with five new cases emerging in a Luna County jail. Health officials are urging local residents to get vaccinated and have ceased in-person jail visits to contain the outbreak. Since the outbreak commenced, seven hospitalizations have been reported, with the majority of cases concentrated in Lea County.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma has reported a consistent total of 17 confirmed cases, while Arizona has four cases linked to recent international travel. Colorado's total stands at 16 cases, including an outbreak associated with a Turkish Airlines flight in May. Georgia has noted a minor outbreak of three cases in metro Atlanta, and Illinois has recorded eight cases related to its southern region outbreak.

In Iowa, six cases have been confirmed, primarily among members of the same household, while Kansas has reported a total of 80 cases across 11 counties. Montana has seen 23 cases, with 15 in Gallatin County, marking the state's first cases in 35 years. North Dakota has also reported 34 cases, a sharp increase for a state that hadn't seen measles since 2011.

The CDC emphasizes that the best protection against measles is vaccination with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which is recommended for children aged 12-15 months and again at 4-6 years. Adults concerned about waning immunity can safely receive another dose of the MMR vaccine.

Measles can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, blindness, and even death. Symptoms typically include a high fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, and a distinctive rash that develops several days after initial symptoms appear. Health professionals continue to advocate for high vaccination rates to prevent the spread of this highly contagious disease.