3 More States Report 1st Measles Cases This Year, Linked to International Travel

Recent CDC figures show that around 800 measles cases have been reported in the United States in 2025.

A sign reading "measles testing" in Seminole, Texas, on Feb. 25, 2025. Sebastian Rocandio/Reuters

Missouri, Louisiana, and Virginia each reported their first measles case of 2025 over the past weekend, as at least 27 states have reported at least one case so far. All three cases were linked with international travel, officials say.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services confirmed the state’s first case of the virus in 2025 in a child who was associated with “recent international travel” and has an unknown vaccination status.

No other cases in the state were identified. Health officials have alerted individuals who may have been exposed to the contagious virus.

“There is no indication of widespread exposure as this person was diagnosed soon after arrival to Taney County,” officials said. “Exposure is believed to be limited, and known contacts have been identified and contacted.”

The Louisiana case is an adult in the southeastern part of the state who was not vaccinated against the virus, the state Department of Health said. The patient was isolated and is now receiving treatment but was not hospitalized, authorities said on Saturday, adding that the infection was also linked to international travel.

Authorities said that the person will have to remain in isolation until they are no longer infectious.

On the same day, the Virginia Department of Health said it is reporting the state’s first case, a child aged four or under, who had recently traveled internationally. Officials in the state did not say whether the child had received a vaccine.

“This first case of measles in Virginia this year is a reminder of how easily this highly contagious disease can spread, particularly with international travel,” said Virginia State Epidemiologist Laurie Forlano in a statement. “Vaccination remains our best defense against measles and is safe and highly effective at protecting people and preventing outbreaks. We urge Virginians, especially those planning to travel, to check their vaccination status, talk to their health care provider, and get the MMR vaccine if needed.”

None of the officials said where the individuals had been traveling before they entered the United States.

As of April 18, CDC data show that the United States has seen around 800 cases of measles this year, although Texas is driving the high numbers, with an outbreak centered in West Texas that started nearly three months ago and is up to 597 cases.

This year, two elementary school-aged children died from measles-related illnesses near the epicenter in Texas, and an adult in New Mexico died of a measles-related illness.

Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus that’s airborne and spreads easily through airborne particles when an infected person breathes, sneezes, or coughs. It first infects the respiratory tract, then spreads throughout the body, and can cause a high fever, runny nose, cough, red, watery eyes, and rash.

The rash generally appears three to five days after the first symptoms, beginning as flat red spots on the face and then spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet. When the rash appears, the fever may spike over 104 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the CDC.

Outside of Texas, New Mexico, Virginia, Missouri, and Louisiana, cases have been reported by the CDC in Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, and Washington.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.