The worst measles epidemic of the 21st century in the United States

This highly contagious and serious disease, once eliminated from the country thanks to vaccines, is making a strong comeback amid declining vaccination rates and growing distrust of health authorities. As a result, 1,277 cases have been confirmed since the beginning of the year in nearly 40 of the 50 US states, with Texas accounting for more than 601,000 cases, according to the Johns Hopkins University database.

This is the highest number of cases since 1992. The epidemic has caused three deaths, including two young children. A toll that many experts believe is largely underestimated, and they are concerned about underreporting.

The last infant death in the United States was in 2003.

Prior to this, the last infant death in the United States was in 2003, three years after measles was officially declared eradicated there thanks to vaccination. The last major outbreak was recorded in 2019 in Orthodox Jewish communities in New York and New Jersey, with 1,274 cases but no deaths.

Measles causes fever, respiratory symptoms and rash, and in some cases more serious complications, such as pneumonia and inflammation of the brain, which can lead to serious damage and death.

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The outbreak erupted in late January in a rural area of Texas home to a Mennonite religious community, an ultraconservative and poorly vaccinated population.

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Minister accused of worsening the health crisis

Minister Robert Kennedy Jr. is accused of having worsened this health crisis by fueling fears about the measles vaccine, including by spreading false information about it.

The year 2025 marks a strong return of the disease to the North American continent, with Canada and Mexico also experiencing major epidemics.

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More than 3,500 cases have been reported in Canada since the beginning of the year, the vast majority in the province of Ontario, and one infant has died. In Mexico, nearly 2,600 cases and nine deaths have been recorded, the Pan American Health Organization reported in early July.