Latest Update: US Measles Surge With South Dakota Reporting 6 New Cases Amid North American Outbreak

As of mid-July 2025, South Dakota has reported a total of twelve measles cases. The South Dakota Department Of Health has responded by expanding access to the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine through public vaccination clinics statewide. These clinics aim to curb the spread of this highly contagious disease. Local health officials have noted that measles can spread rapidly, particularly in crowded places where individuals may be in close contact with one another.

The United States is experiencing its most severe measles outbreak since 1992, with over 1,288 confirmed cases and three deaths reported as of early July 2025. The majority of these cases are concentrated in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, particularly within unvaccinated communities. The outbreaks have drawn significant attention, as they are spreading faster than health authorities initially anticipated.

Canada and Mexico are also facing significant outbreaks. Ontario has reported 2,223 cases, Alberta 1,246, and Chihuahua, Mexico, 2,966 cases. These outbreaks are largely attributed to low vaccination rates and international travel. The interconnected nature of global travel has made it easier for the disease to spread across borders, creating a serious public health threat across the region. The rising number of cases has prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue travel advisories and health alerts for affected areas.

Travelers are advised to ensure their MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccinations are up to date and to avoid contact with individuals showing symptoms of illness. Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, runny nose, and a distinctive rash. Travelers are also urged to follow official health advisories and take necessary precautions, including avoiding large gatherings in affected areas.

The CDC has issued travel health notices for regions experiencing outbreaks, advising travelers to take necessary precautions. International travel is often cited as one of the primary vectors for the spread of infectious diseases like measles, and these outbreaks serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining up-to-date vaccinations before traveling internationally.

For travelers, staying informed and prepared is critical in minimizing the risk of contracting measles. Here are some important travel safety tips:

Several states have launched campaigns to increase vaccination awareness, targeting both adults and children who have not received the MMR vaccine. The CDC is also working with local health departments to identify areas with low vaccination rates and provide additional resources to those communities. The goal is to achieve herd immunity, which will make it harder for the virus to spread and protect vulnerable individuals who cannot be vaccinated due to medical reasons.

Measles and Tourism and Travel Safety with Increased Global Travel As international travel continues to rise, the global travel-related risk of outbreaks such as measles impacting travel safety and tourism increases. Measles must feel like a disease of the distant past by now; but it only takes an outbreak like this to remind us of how readily it can make a comeback in unvaccinated populations. The enhancement of vaccination rates and public health education are crucial to stopping further outbreaks and protecting global public health.