Urgent Alert as U.S. Disease Cases Top 2,000 for the First Time in 30 Years

New figures released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show a troubling surge in a highly contagious disease across the United States, marking a public health milestone not seen in decades.

According to the CDC, the nation has now surpassed 2,000 confirmed cases—its highest total in more than 30 years. Health experts warn that the spike is closely tied to declining vaccination rates and the growing influence of anti-vaccine movements.

The illness responsible is measles, a viral infection that usually starts with flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, and a runny nose, followed by a distinctive red, blotchy rash. As of December 23, the CDC confirmed 2,012 measles cases nationwide.

For years, widespread vaccination had kept measles numbers low in the U.S. The last time infections reached comparable levels was in 1992, when 2,126 cases were reported. Since then, cases had steadily declined—until now.

Public health officials say the recent resurgence coincides with an increase in vaccine hesitancy, often driven by misinformation or political ideology. This trend has not only affected the U.S. but has also contributed to a global rise in measles, with worldwide case numbers reaching a 25-year high.

Despite the growing outbreak, the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine—shown to be up to 93 percent effective after one dose—has faced increased skepticism and scrutiny during Donald Trump’s administration.

Measles is far from harmless. CDC data indicates that 11 percent of infected individuals required hospitalization, and more than half of those hospitalized were children and teenagers under 19 years old.

In 2025, the CDC reported that 93 percent of measles patients were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status. Of the remaining seven percent, three percent had received only one dose of the MMR vaccine, while four percent had completed the recommended two-dose series.

The scale of outbreaks has also intensified. A total of 50 measles outbreaks were recorded in 2025—more than triple the 16 outbreaks reported in 2024. One of the largest ongoing outbreaks is in South Carolina.

As of December 30, South Carolina’s Department of Public Health confirmed 176 cases, most concentrated in Spartanburg County near the North Carolina border. The outbreak has forced hundreds of students into quarantine, disrupting schools and families across the state.

The CDC continues to recommend two doses of the MMR vaccine: the first between 12 and 15 months of age, and the second between four and six years old. While one dose offers about 93 percent protection, two doses increase effectiveness to approximately 97 percent.

Measles was officially declared eliminated in the Americas in 2016. However, health authorities now warn that the region is at risk of losing its measles-free status due to the resurgence of outbreaks.

Across 10 countries in North and Latin America, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has reported a total of 11,668 measles cases, underscoring the scale of the growing crisis.

Previously, Rosana Richtmann, an infectious disease specialist and coordinator of the Brazilian Society of Infectious Disease’s Immunization Committee, criticized the U.S. approach to vaccinations as “an outrage,” warning that without stronger efforts to promote immunization, the situation would continue to deteriorate.