Measles Update

As of August 5, 2025, the CDC reported. total of 1,356 confimed measles cases nationawide. Arkansas has reported eight confirmed measles cases as of June—the state's first since 2018. Six of these cases are in Faulkner County, and one is in Saline County. Six of the cases involve children under 18, while one is an adult. 

This rise in cases comes at a time when vaccination rates in Arkansas are below the level needed to stop outbreaks. For the 2023–24 school year, about 92.5% of kindergartners were fully vaccinated against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), which falls short of the 95% threshold required for herd immunity. At the same time, nonmedical vaccine exemptions are slowly increasing, making communities more vulnerable to measles.

Measles is one of the most contagious viruses in the world. If an unvaccinated person is exposed, there is nearly a 90–95% chance they will become infected. The illness typically begins with fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash that spreads across the body. People with measles are contagious from four days before to four days after the rash appears, meaning they can spread the virus before they even realize they are sick.

The best protection against measles is the MMR vaccine. One dose is about 95% effective, and two doses provide 97% protection. If you or your children are not fully vaccinated or if you are unsure of your vaccination status, now is the time to catch up. Staying up to date not only protects you and your family but also helps safeguard the most vulnerable members of the community, such as infants and those with weakened immune systems.

If you or your child develop symptoms of measles, it is important to call your healthcare provider before coming into the clinic or hospital. This allows staff to make arrangements that prevent exposing others while ensuring you get the care you need.

While measles was once considered eliminated in the United States, declining vaccination rates have led to outbreaks across the country in 2025, including right here in Arkansas. By keeping vaccination rates high and staying alert to symptoms, we can help stop the spread and protect our community.

Louisiana has reported two confirmed measles cases in 2025, both among adults in the Greater New Orleans area. The first case appeared in mid-April and was linked to international travel, while the second followed shortly after. Fortunately, neither patient required hospitalization, and the Louisiana Department of Health’s investigation did not identify any further spread. While this is a much smaller number compared to other states, the increase in measles cases across the country makes continued awareness important.

Nationwide, measles has been on the rise in 2025, with the CDC reporting more than 1,300 confirmed cases across 41 states as of early August. This is a sharp increase compared to recent years, and most of these cases have been tied to outbreaks. Because measles is one of the most contagious viruses in the world, even a single case can quickly spread if vaccination coverage is not high enough.

The best protection continues to be the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Two doses provide about 97% protection, while one dose offers around 95%. Patients who are unsure of their vaccination status should talk to their healthcare provider about catching up. It’s especially important for children, students, and people who travel internationally to be fully protected.

If you or your child develop symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, or a spreading rash, contact your healthcare provider before coming into the clinic or hospital. This allows staff to take precautions and prevent unnecessary exposure to others. While measles cases in Louisiana remain limited, strong vaccination coverage and early recognition of symptoms are key to protecting our communities.

Oklahoma has experienced a notable rise in measles cases in 2025, largely connected to the broader multi-state outbreak spanning Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. As of March 25, the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) confirmed seven confirmed and two probable cases, all occurring among unvaccinated individuals in northeastern Oklahoma and linked to the ongoing outbreak in neighboring states AP News+11Welcome to Oklahoma's Official Web Site+11Welcome to Oklahoma's Official Web Site+11. By April 1, total cases remained at eight confirmed and two probable OU Health.

Vaccination efforts in the state began responding: between January and April 8, 2025, nearly 30,000 MMR doses were administered—marking a 25% increase compared to the same period in 2024 Oklahoma Voice.

By June, Oklahoma had recorded 20 measles cases for the year—17 confirmed and three probable. All but one case occurred in unvaccinated individuals, with only a single case in someone who had received both vaccine doses The Guardian+8The Journal Record+8News 9+8. The Oklahoma Department of Health also identified multiple exposure sites—such as Eileen’s Cookies, Walmart, the UPS Store, Goodwill, and Tropical Café in Edmond—from May 31, 2025. Anyone who visited these locations during the specified timeframe and is unvaccinated, unsure of their immune status, or has concerns, was urged to self-report and monitor for symptoms OU Health+3The Journal Record+3Welcome to Oklahoma's Official Web Site+3.

On the national stage, measles is surging—with more than 1,356 confirmed cases reported across 41 jurisdictions as of August 5, 2025, including Oklahoma CDC+2The Times of India+2.

Why This Matters

Although Oklahoma’s case count remains modest compared to harder-hit states like Texas or New Mexico, the steady increase—from around 10 cases early in the year to 20 by mid-June—underscores an emerging concern. Nearly all infected individuals were unvaccinated, highlighting how critical MMR vaccination is in stopping the virus's spread.

Rising vaccination numbers in early 2025 are a positive sign, but the presence of multiple exposure sites illustrates that measles can spread easily in public places and touch many lives quickly.

Key Messages for Patients

• Measles is extremely contagious, with the ability to linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a space.

• Vaccination offers powerful protection—two doses of MMR provide about 97% effectiveness.

• If you visited any of the identified exposure sites (e.g., in Edmond on May 31), and are unvaccinated or unsure of your immunity, please reach out to local health authorities for guidance.

• If symptoms like fever, cough, runny nose, or rash appear, call before visiting a clinic or hospital to help protect others.

Texas Measles Update

As of August 15, 2025, Texas is experiencing its most significant measles outbreak in over 30 years, with 762 confirmed cases reported since late January. 

Outbreak Epicenter and Spread

The epicenter of the outbreak is Gaines County, which accounts for more than half of the state's cases, with 411 confirmed infections. Other affected counties include Cochran, Dawson, Lubbock, Terry, and Yoakum . The outbreak has also extended beyond West Texas, with 33 cases reported in other parts of the state, including Williamson County, where six cases have been identified, some linked to initial infections in Leander .nypost.com+7fox4news.com+7en.wikipedia.org+7statesman.com

Vaccination Rates and Contributing Factors

The outbreak is largely attributed to declining vaccination rates. A study by Johns Hopkins University found that routine childhood measles vaccination rates have declined in nearly 80% of over 2,000 U.S. counties analyzed between the school years of 2017–2020 and 2022–2024. In Texas, certain counties like Gaines have significant outbreaks despite some post-pandemic vaccination rate increases that still fall below the 95% threshold necessary for herd immunity .en.wikipedia.org+3apnews.com+3theguardian.com+3apnews.com

Public Health Response

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is actively working with local health departments to investigate and respond to the outbreak. However, efforts have been hampered by funding challenges. Federal budget cuts have led to the cancellation of more than 50 planned measles vaccination clinics in Dallas and layoffs of public health workers, impacting the state's ability to contain the outbreak effectively .dshs.texas.govapnews.comchron.com+1en.wikipedia.org+1

Recommendations

Health officials strongly recommend the following actions:

• Vaccination: Ensure you and your family members are up to date with the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine, which is 97% effective after two doses.

• Monitor for Symptoms: Be vigilant for signs such as high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash that typically starts on the face and spreads downward.

• Seek Medical Advice: If symptoms develop, contact your healthcare provider promptly. It's advisable to call ahead before visiting a medical facility to prevent potential exposure to others.

For the latest updates and more information, visit the Texas Department of State Health Services measles page.