NACCHO is closely monitoring news and information related to ongoing and emergent measles outbreaks and is ready to assist local health departments with response and coordination efforts. To follow are recent updates and resources regarding ongoing measles outbreaks, which will be updated on an as-needed basis. For the most up-to-date information, please join our Emerging Public Health Threats Virtual Communities forum.

If your health department needs support or has questions, please contact NACCHO’s Preparedness Team at [email protected].

Recent Updates:

May 22: According to CDC data, a total of 1,046 confirmed measles cases were reported by 31 jurisdictions: Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington. To date in 2025, there have been three confirmed deaths from measles.

March 21: Katherine Wells, DrPH, Director of Lubbock Public Health in Texas, joined NACCHO’s Podcast from Washington to discuss the recent measles outbreak in the United States and initiatives they have implemented to slow the spread in Texas. 

March 7: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to notify clinicians, public health officials, and potential travelers about a measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico and offer guidance for prevention and monitoring. As of March 7, Texas and New Mexico have reported 208 confirmed cases associated with this outbreak (198 in Texas and 10 in New Mexico). As a part of this outbreak, two deaths have been reported: one in Texas and one in New Mexico. More cases are expected as this outbreak continues to expand rapidly.

With spring and summer travel season approaching in the United States, CDC emphasizes the important role that clinicians and public health officials play in preventing the spread of measles.

Click here to read the report.

March 3: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary issues statement: Measles Outbreak is Call to Action for All of Us

February 26: The Texas Department of State Health Services reported the first death from measles in the ongoing outbreak in the South Plains and Panhandle regions.
 

Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) Vaccination

The MMR vaccine is scientifically proven to prevent measles, mumps, and rubella. Given how contagious measles is, its evidenced potential for serious complications, and the recent outbreak developments, vaccination is a crucial and effective way protect yourself and your community from measles outbreaks.

The current recommendation for the MMR vaccine is two doses for children, typically administered around 12-15 months and 4-6 years of age. This vaccination schedule helps ensure optimal protection against measles, mumps, and rubella and contributes to community immunity, reducing the risk of outbreaks in the community. Individuals who are uncertain about their immunity can consult with a healthcare provider to determine if they have antibodies and to receive a booster dose.

Resources and Toolkits

• Measles Resources for Health Departments (CDC): Key measles resources including case definitions and outbreak and response procedures.
• Be Ready for Measles Toolkit (CDC): A toolkit to communicate with different audiences when preparing for and responding to measles cases and outbreaks.
• Public Health Preparedness Checklist: Measles Clusters and Outbreaks (CDC): Checklists for how to support measles preparedness at health departments in the short- and long-term as well as a checklist for healthcare system preparedness.
• 2025 Measles Outbreak Guidance in Spanish (New Mexico Department of Health): Overview, reports, FAQ, and other resources related to the measles outbreak in New Mexico in Spanish.
• Measles Outbreak Toolkits (CDC): Resources for healthcare providers, local/state health departments, and settings where children congregate to respond to a measles outbreak.
• Vaccine Recommendations (CDC): Routine MMR information, evidence of immunity, other considerations for measles vaccine.
• Traveling Abroad Summer Checklist Graphic (CDC): Graphic highlighting preparation for summer travel.
• Measles School Outbreak Simulator (UT Austin). A tool is designed to aid in risk communications and decision making around potential measles outbreaks in schools. The simulator has been updated to include school districts in Pennsylvania and North Carolina, in addition to Texas. If a particular state or school district are not currently part of the school lookup feature, users can input an approximate vaccination rate.
• Measles Outbreak Response Resources (Johns Hopkins Center for Outbreak Response Innovation): Contains a national case dashboard, U.S. risk assessments (updated weekly), and resources for health departments including isolation and quarantine letters, template press releases and school notification letters, and operational workflows.
• How Modeling Supported Decision-Making in a Local Measles Response (CDC Center for Forecasting & Analytics): A summary of modeling approaches that were used during a measles outbreak, which originated in a temporary shelter in Chicago in spring of 2024. 

Measles Readiness in Child-Serving Congregate Settings:

• Ways Schools Can Support Routine Vaccination Catch-Up Among School-Aged Children (Public Health Foundation): A toolkit for education professionals.
• How Early Care and Education Can Help Children Keep Their Vaccinations Up-to-Date (Public Health Foundation): A toolkit for early care and education providers.
• Measles Messaging Toolkit for Schools and Child Care Facilities (Vermont Department of Health): A toolkit including sample materials for communications with parents.
• Measles Prevention and Preparedness Tips for Camps (American Camp Association): Tips and resources for camps.

• Protecting Your Baby From a Measles Outbreak: FAQs (HealthyChildren.org)
• Cómo proteger a su bebé de un brote de sarampión: preguntas frecuentes (HealthyChildren.org)
• Breastfeeding Benefits Your Baby’s Immune System (HealthyChildren.org)
• La lactancia materna favorece al sistema inmunitario de su bebé (HealthyChildren.org)
• Breastfeeding Benefits Both Baby and Mom | Breastfeeding (CDC)

NACCHO Resources

Communicating and Promoting Vaccination

• Utilize CDC’s Rapid Community Assessment to Understand the Vaccination Needs of Your Communities
• Immunization Resource Repository from NACCHO and YB Consultants
• Increasing Vaccine Confidence Resource Guide
• New Communications Planning Guide for Local Health Departments

Local Health Departments Promoting Equitable Vaccine Uptake

• Rapid Community Assessment: A Tool for Understanding Immunization Behavior in Long Beach, CA Residents
• Optimizing Access: Strategic Mobile Vaccine Clinics in Lincoln County, OR
• Empowering Vaccine Champions: Enhancing Whole Worker Health - Johnson County Public Health, Iowa

Local Health Departments Partnering for Vaccination

• Expanding Vaccination Coverage through Partnerships with Adolescents, Faith-Based Organizations, and Early Childhood Education Centers
• Creating a Community-Led Vaccine Equity Coalition - Austin Public Health Department, Texas
• Libraries: A Community Hub for Vaccine Education and Awareness - Van Buren/Cass District Health Department (VBCDHD)

Local Health Departments Addressing Vaccine Confidence and Hesitancy

• New Data Shows an Increase in Vaccine Hesitancy – Here’s How LHDs Are Addressing It
• Developing Resources to Address Vaccine Hesitancy in Santa Cruz, CA
• Viewing Vaccine Hesitancy through a Health Equity Lens in Minneapolis, MN
• Building Trust in Vaccines and Local Public Health in Huron County, OH
• Partnering for Pediatric Vaccinations in Manatee County, FL