Breaking News: First Measles Cases of 2025 Confirmed in Louisiana, Missouri, and Virginia – What You Need to Know

Measles cases are back in the U.S., with Louisiana, Missouri, and Virginia reporting their first incidents of 2025. All these cases are linked to international travel. In Virginia, a young child recently traveled abroad and tested positive for measles. Health officials didn’t say if the child had been vaccinated.

Laurie Forlano, Virginia’s state epidemiologist, emphasized, “This first case is a reminder of how quickly measles can spread, especially with travel.” She highlighted that the best protection is vaccination, which is both safe and effective.

In Louisiana, an adult who wasn’t vaccinated got measles. They are currently hospitalized and in isolation to prevent further spread. The health department is working to alert anyone who may have come into contact with this person.

In Missouri, a child visiting Taney County also contracted measles after international travel. The state health department says this case doesn’t seem to indicate widespread exposure, as the child was diagnosed soon after arriving.

This uptick in cases hints at a larger issue. In fact, reports show that as of mid-April, more than half of U.S. states have seen measles cases this year. Texas is particularly hard-hit, with 481 confirmed cases, including some among young children in daycare.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been relatively quiet on this outbreak, giving occasional updates. They did send 2,000 doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine to Texas despite not holding a news briefing since 2019. Before this year, measles deaths in the U.S. had not occurred for a decade, underscoring the significance of tackling this outbreak.

Public health experts stress the importance of staying informed and vaccinated, especially as travel becomes more common post-pandemic. For more information on vaccine safety and measles prevention, you can visit the CDC.

Monitoring these cases will be crucial in preventing further spread and protecting public health.

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