Measles Cases Surge to 25-Year High
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by Kerri Miller
December 19, 2025
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7 min
Public health experts from Johns Hopkins report the U.S. faces significant threats from vaccine-preventable diseases, highlighted by a resurgence of measles, with 1,912 confirmed cases and three fatalities in 2025. Most cases involved unvaccinated individuals. Dr. William Moss warns that continuous measles transmission could jeopardize the country's elimination status. Concurrently, a new H3N2 influenza variant, clade K, is surging. Experts stress the importance of vaccination amid declining rates and emphasize communication challenges in public health messaging.
1. U.S. reported 1,912 measles cases in 2025, highest since 2000. 2. 92% of cases in unvaccinated individuals. 3. Average cost per measles case is $43,000. 4. New H3N2 influenza variant clade K becoming dominant. 5. Declining vaccination rates for COVID-19 and influenza across all ages. 6. Public health communication criticized for inadequacy on vaccine responses. 7. Global health cuts may increase frequency of disease outbreaks.
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