Measles on the rise in California: More cases so far this year than all of 2024 – Los Angeles Times

Report on the Measles Outbreak in the United States with Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Overview of the Current Measles Situation

California has reported more measles cases in 2025 than in the entirety of 2024, reflecting a significant public health concern amid the largest national outbreak of the disease in decades. Measles, a highly contagious and preventable viral disease, has re-emerged as a critical issue, especially affecting communities with low vaccination rates.

National and Regional Outbreak Data

1. Texas: At least 750 cases reported.
2. New Mexico: 81 cases.
3. Kansas: 80 cases.
4. North Dakota: 28 cases.
5. Montana: 23 cases.
6. Michigan: 15 cases.
7. Ohio and Illinois: 10 cases each.
8. Arkansas and Indiana: 8 cases each.

The majority of infections are among unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status.

Vaccination and Public Health Challenges

• The MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) remains the most effective prevention method.
• Anti-vaccine activism and misinformation have hindered vaccination efforts, impacting policy and public health strategies.
• California maintains a high vaccination rate of 96.2% among kindergartners for the 2023-24 school year, surpassing the 95% threshold recommended to prevent outbreaks.
• Some counties in California have vaccination rates below 95%, posing localized risks.

Health Impacts and Mortality

Measles can cause severe complications including viral pneumonia, encephalitis, and immune amnesia, which suppresses the immune system for years post-infection. The disease has a mortality rate of approximately 1 death per 500 to 1,000 cases.

• Three measles-related deaths have been reported in the U.S. in 2025, including two unvaccinated children in Texas and one unvaccinated adult in New Mexico.
• One infant death in Canada was linked to measles infection before birth.
• Mexico has reported one measles-related death among unvaccinated individuals.

Transmission and Vulnerable Populations

• Measles is one of the most contagious viruses, capable of spreading through airborne particles even two hours after an infected person has left an area.
• Outbreaks are concentrated in close-knit communities with low vaccination coverage, including certain Mennonite Christian communities across North America.
• Infants younger than 6 months and unvaccinated children are particularly vulnerable.

Public Health Responses and Recommendations

1. Early vaccination is recommended in severely affected areas, with doses administered to infants as young as 6 months.
2. Standard CDC guidance advises two doses of the MMR vaccine, starting at 12 months of age.
3. Health officials urge individuals exposed to measles to monitor symptoms and seek medical advice while minimizing exposure to others.
4. California currently has no active outbreak; most cases are linked to international travel.

Historical Context and Progress

• The 1989-1991 measles epidemic in California caused 18,000 cases and 70 deaths, highlighting the impact of low vaccination rates among low-income populations.
• The introduction of the Vaccines for Children program and strengthened vaccination laws have contributed to the elimination of continuous local measles transmission in the U.S. by 2000.
• Recent years have seen a resurgence in cases, with 1,227 confirmed cases in the U.S. in 2025, nearing the 2019 peak of 1,274 cases.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The measles outbreak directly relates to several SDGs, emphasizing the need for coordinated global and local action:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Ensuring healthy lives through vaccination programs reduces child mortality and prevents disease outbreaks.
• SDG 4: Quality Education – Maintaining high vaccination rates in school-aged children supports safe learning environments.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Addressing vaccination access disparities, especially among low-income and marginalized communities, is essential.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Collaboration between governments, health organizations, and communities is critical to combat misinformation and improve vaccination coverage.

Conclusion and Call to Action

The resurgence of measles in the United States and neighboring countries underscores the importance of sustained vaccination efforts and public health vigilance. Achieving and maintaining high immunization coverage is vital to protect vulnerable populations and fulfill the commitments of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3. Public health authorities continue to advocate for vaccination as the most effective preventive measure against measles and related complications.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article focuses on the outbreak of measles, a preventable infectious disease, highlighting public health concerns, vaccination efforts, and disease prevention.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • References to vaccination rates among kindergartners and school vaccination requirements connect to ensuring healthy learning environments and awareness.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The article mentions that poor parents historically could not afford vaccinations, indicating inequalities in access to healthcare services.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Collaboration between health departments, CDC, and international coordination (e.g., outbreaks linked across Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.) reflects partnerships to combat infectious diseases.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases.
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation.
   • Target 17.8: Fully operationalize the technology bank and science, technology and innovation capacity-building mechanism for least developed countries.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Measles Case Counts
   • Number of confirmed measles cases reported annually (e.g., 1,227 cases in the U.S. so far this year).
2. Vaccination Coverage Rates
   • Percentage of kindergartners vaccinated against measles (e.g., 96.2% in California for 2023-24 school year).
   • Vaccination rates in specific counties (e.g., San Diego County 94.8%, Kern County 90.7%).
3. Measles-related Mortality
   • Number of deaths caused by measles (e.g., three deaths reported in the U.S. this year).
4. Hospitalization and Severity Indicators
   • Number of hospitalizations and intensive care admissions due to measles complications.
5. Vaccination Policy Implementation
   • Early vaccination recommendations and second dose administration rates in outbreak areas.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: latimes.com