By: Kayla Nelson
April 9, 2025
A number of measles (also known as rubeola) cases have been reported throughout the area, and local county officials expect the number to increase in the coming weeks.
The spread of measles is not new to the region, however, as cases have been climbing throughout the Northeast and the country for at least a month.
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), “As of April 3, 2025, a total of 607 confirmed* measles cases were reported by 22 jurisdictions: Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Washington.”
With more than 500 cases, 2025 is already the third-most active year for measles since 2000, the year the United States officially eliminated it, according to NBC News. Here in the Philadelphia region, the state's first case in 2025 was confirmed in Montgomery County in early March.
James Garrow, who is currently part of the Philadelphia Department of Public Health, states, "The sudden rise in cases are caused by a lack of people who are currently vaccinated. People who are not vaccinated are prone to picking up this disease and spreading it throughout the states.”
While sporadic outbreaks have occurred since 2000, recent case counts are nothing compared to the 27,000 cases reported in 1964.
"The measles vaccine was introduced in 1963, which marked a turning point for the contagious disease, which used to kill thousands every year," according to Joe Murphy of NBC News.
Understanding the symptoms of measles is crucial, not only for timely treatment but also for preventing its rapid spread among vulnerable populations.
"If you think you may have been exposed to measles you should isolate yourself immediately after experiencing symptoms. Some symptoms you may experience are high fever, runny nose, sore throat, inflamed eyes, and skin rash," says James Garrow.
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