Measles Outbreak Locations: A Global Update and Risk Assessment for July 2025
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
- Measles outbreaks are surging globally due to declining vaccination rates.
- North America, Europe, and other regions are experiencing significant outbreaks.
- Mitigation strategies include strengthening vaccination campaigns and improving surveillance.
- Businesses should conduct travel risk assessments and implement vaccination policies.
- Staying informed about the situation is crucial for risk mitigation.
Table of Contents
Measles Outbreak Locations: A Global Overview
Measles outbreaks continue to pose a significant global health challenge, with concerning increases in cases reported across numerous countries in 2025. This surge, largely attributed to declining vaccination rates exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, demands close monitoring and proactive measures. Understanding the current measles outbreak locations is crucial for businesses, governments, and individuals to mitigate risk and protect vulnerable populations. This detailed report provides a comprehensive overview of the situation, highlighting key areas of concern and offering actionable insights.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued repeated warnings about the global resurgence of measles. In 2023, an estimated 10.3 million people were infected, resulting in approximately 107,500 deaths, primarily affecting unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children under five. The highly contagious nature of measles, coupled with international travel, ensures that outbreaks in one region can rapidly spread worldwide. This interconnectedness underscores the need for a globally coordinated response.
Measles Outbreak Locations: Key Regions and Country-Specific Details
The current landscape of measles outbreak locations is diverse, spanning every region of the world. Below, we detail some of the most heavily impacted areas:
North America (United States & Canada):
- United States: As of July 1st, 2025, the U.S. has recorded 1,267 confirmed measles cases across 38 jurisdictions, with 27 distinct outbreaks. The largest outbreak, centered in West Texas (753 cases, 2 deaths), highlights the vulnerability of unvaccinated communities. Other states reporting confirmed cases include Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington. The combination of travel-related cases and community transmission fuels the ongoing spread.
- Canada: A multi-jurisdictional measles outbreak, originating in New Brunswick in October 2024, has spread across nine provinces and territories. As of June 14th, 2025, Canada reported 3,381 cases (3,081 confirmed, 300 probable), with one death reported in Ontario. This substantial outbreak underscores the need for heightened vigilance and robust vaccination campaigns.
Europe:
Europe experienced a dramatic increase in measles cases in 2024, reporting 127,350 cases – double the 2023 figures and the highest number since 1997. This surge resulted in at least 38 deaths by early March 2025, with children under five accounting for over 40% of cases. Several countries have been particularly hard hit:
- Romania: Declared a national measles epidemic in December 2023, Romania reported 30,692 cases in 2024.
- Kazakhstan: Reported 28,147 cases in 2024.
- United Kingdom: A significant resurgence, with suspected cases quadrupling in England and Wales between 2021 and 2023, with ongoing outbreaks in London and the North West and West Midlands regions.
Other European countries experiencing outbreaks include Austria, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, and Serbia.
Americas (excluding US and Canada):
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert following increased measles cases. By February 21st, 2025, 268 cases, including one death, were confirmed in Argentina, Mexico, and other countries in the region. This highlights the persistent threat in the Americas even outside the large outbreaks in the US and Canada.
Africa, Middle East, and Asia:
Measles remains endemic in many parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. While precise, up-to-the-minute data is challenging to obtain from these regions due to reporting inconsistencies, Yemen, India, and Ethiopia reported among the highest numbers of cases in 2023. Ongoing outbreaks are confirmed across numerous countries within these regions.
Challenges and Mitigation Strategies
The resurgence of measles presents several significant challenges:
- Declining Vaccination Rates: The primary driver of these outbreaks is the decline in vaccination rates globally, partly due to misinformation and vaccine hesitancy.
- Disruptions from COVID-19: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted vaccination campaigns and healthcare systems, creating an opportunity for measles to spread unchecked.
- Limited Access to Healthcare: In many parts of the world, particularly low- and middle-income countries, access to healthcare and vaccination remains limited, exacerbating the impact of outbreaks.
- Travel: International travel contributes significantly to the spread of measles, as infected individuals can easily carry the virus across borders.
To mitigate these challenges, a multi-pronged approach is essential:
- Strengthen Vaccination Campaigns: Robust and targeted vaccination campaigns, coupled with public health education initiatives, are crucial to increase vaccination rates.
- Improve Surveillance and Reporting: Enhanced surveillance systems are necessary to track outbreaks in real-time and guide effective interventions.
- Address Vaccine Hesitancy: Public health initiatives must address concerns about vaccine safety and efficacy to improve vaccine uptake.
- International Collaboration: Effective international collaboration is essential to coordinate response efforts and share best practices.
Practical Takeaways and Actionable Advice
Businesses and organizations can take several steps to mitigate the risks associated with measles outbreaks:
- Travel Risk Assessments: Conduct thorough travel risk assessments for employees traveling to regions with ongoing outbreaks.
- Vaccination Policies: Implement clear vaccination policies for employees, especially those traveling internationally.
- Emergency Preparedness Plans: Develop detailed emergency preparedness plans to address potential outbreaks within the workplace.
- Employee Education: Educate employees about the symptoms, risks, and prevention measures related to measles.
- Stay Informed: Continuously monitor updates from the WHO, CDC, and other relevant organizations to stay informed about the evolving situation.
Conclusion
The global resurgence of measles underscores the critical need for coordinated action to prevent further spread. By understanding the current measles outbreak locations and implementing effective mitigation strategies, businesses, governments, and individuals can contribute to protecting global health. [Company Name] offers comprehensive risk assessment and mitigation services tailored to address the unique challenges posed by measles outbreaks. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you protect your workforce and safeguard your operations.
FAQ
This section will contain frequently asked questions about measles outbreaks.