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Measles Cases Surge to 25-Year High

US faces threat to measles elimination status as respiratory virus season intensifies with emergence of vaccine-evading H3N2 subclade

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7 Key Takeaways

  • 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.

Original Source(s)

Measles Cases Surge to 25-Year High

US faces threat to measles elimination status as respiratory virus season intensifies with emergence of vaccine-evading H3N2 subclade

  • by Kerri Miller

  • December 19, 2025

  • 7 min

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