A horrible year for measles is about to get worse, according to a Northwestern University pediatric infectious disease specialist. Why it matters: The U.S. is already facing its most measles cases in 33 years,

Measles cases in the United States are the highest they’ve been since the country eliminated the disease in 2000. The U.S. has reported 1,277 cases since the start of the year, according to NBC News’ tally of state health department data.

As the measles outbreak continues in West Texas and two neighboring states, The Dallas Morning News will keep this page updated every Tuesday with information on confirmed cases.

The University of Texas and Austin Public Health created a measles simulator for school districts and private schools around the county to better

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, two doses of the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine are 97% effective at preventing measles, while one dose is 93% effective. It is uncommon for someone who is fully vaccinated to develop measles, although the first breakthrough case of 2025 was recently detected in Colorado.

Measles cases in the U.S. have surged to a record high, 25 years after the virus was declared eliminated in 2000.

Due to the ongoing U.S. measles outbreak, a Texas man worried that his young son was at risk and took him to get vaccinated. The cost of the shot? $1,400.

The U.S. thought it had eradicated measles 25 years ago. Now the highly contagious disease is back, spiking to more than 1,200 cases already in 2025.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the U.S. is currently experiencing its worst measles outbreak in more than 30 years, according to the Associated Press. On Wednesday, the CDC said the 2025 case count has surpassed the 2019 count, when there were 1,274 cases for the year.