Measles Map Update as New State Confirms Outbreak

Tennessee health officials confirmed a measles outbreak on Thursday, pushing the number of U.S. states with active outbreaks to 10. Nationwide, cases have surged past 800 — more than double the total reported in all of 2024.

US Measles Outbreak Breakdown

The largest outbreak remains in Texas, with 624 cases across 26 counties, primarily in the western region. Health officials reported two additional hospitalizations this week, bringing the total to 64, while Bailey County logged its first two cases. Most of the Texas cases—62 percent—are concentrated in Gaines County, home to a close-knit Mennonite community with low vaccination rates. Two children in Texas have died from measles-related complications since late February.

Neighboring New Mexico now has 65 confirmed cases, including six hospitalizations. Most cases are in Lea County, with isolated infections in Eddy, Chaves, and Doña Ana counties. A New Mexico adult died in March due to measles complications. State officials say genetic testing confirms the outbreak is linked to the one in Texas.

Kansas has reported 37 measles cases spread across eight counties in the southwest. The highest case counts are in Haskell (8) and Stevens (7) counties. The state's first case was detected on March 13 in Stevens County, also genetically linked to the Texas outbreak.

In Oklahoma, the case total has reached 13 — 10 confirmed and three probable. The initial cases were traced back to outbreaks in Texas and New Mexico. Public exposures occurred in Custer, Oklahoma, and Cleveland counties, though state officials have not identified where current cases are located.

Ohio reported 32 confirmed cases on Thursday, with the majority in Ashtabula (16) and Knox (14) counties. There are also isolated cases in Allen and Holmes counties. Knox County health officials report 20 total measles cases, including seven non-residents.

Indiana has eight cases in Allen County, in the northeastern part of the state. Five are unvaccinated minors and three are adults with unknown vaccination status. Health officials say the cases are not linked to other outbreaks.

In Pennsylvania, officials declared an outbreak in Erie County after identifying two new cases tied to a prior case confirmed on March 30. The state has seen nine total cases this year, though not all are connected, including travel-related cases in Montgomery County and Philadelphia.

Michigan has eight cases total, four of which are clustered in Montcalm County near Grand Rapids. Officials believe these are linked to Ontario's large outbreak in Canada. The remaining cases are not part of that cluster.

Montana reported its first measles cases in 35 years, with five unvaccinated children and adults isolating at home in Gallatin County. These individuals had traveled out of state, though no link to other North American outbreaks has been confirmed.

Tennessee has reported six measles cases, all in the central part of the state. At least three are connected, though health officials have not provided further details or confirmed ties to other outbreaks.

What RFK Jr. Has Said Amid Measles Outbreak

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., currently serving as Secretary of Health and Human Services, has delivered a series of statements about the ongoing measles outbreak that reveal a complicated stance. While Kennedy has historically been known for his skepticism toward vaccines, particularly in his work before joining Donald Trump's administration, his public comments amid the 2025 measles resurgence signal an evolving position.

In a cabinet meeting on February 26, Kennedy appeared to downplay the severity of the outbreak, saying, "We are following the measles epidemic every day... it's not unusual. We have measles outbreaks every year." At the time, the outbreak had already spread across multiple states, with deaths reported in Texas and New Mexico.

Just days later, in a March 2 opinion piece for Fox News, Kennedy struck a more traditional public health tone, writing, "Vaccines not only protect individual children from measles, but also contribute to community immunity, protecting those who are unable to be vaccinated due to medical reasons." The statement marked a notable departure from his past affiliations with anti-vaccine advocacy groups and was widely seen as an attempt to reassure the public.

Kennedy reinforced this more pro-vaccine message again on April 6 via the social platform X, stating plainly: "The most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine."

What Happens Next

Health experts warn that measles — a highly contagious, airborne virus — could continue to spread in undervaccinated communities. Though declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, recent trends in declining childhood immunization and rising exemption claims have contributed to its resurgence.

Reporting by the Associated Press contributed to this story.

Update: 4/24/25, 7:20 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and remarks.