Modern medicine’s nightmare: 2025 measles outbreak

A nearly eradicated disease has been on the rise since January of this year. Over 800 cases have been reported nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This amount surpasses the number of total cases in 2024. This number does not include unreported cases due to insufficient access to testing. This measles outbreak is a shocking turn of events in 2025. Here is a report of the current situation:

The highest number of cases are in Texas, nearing around 700. It is mainly spreading in Texan Mennonite communities, a branch of the Anabaptist Christian church, due to the lower vaccination rates. Most of the cases unfortunately involve unvaccinated children, including the first deaths in a decade: six-year-old and eight-year-old little girls, according to the Texas Tribune. 

Many of those who are unvaccinated and sick with measles have turned to more homeopathic medicines like cod liver oil, which is rich in vitamin A. As reported by MSNBC, Some cases of liver damage or even failure have been reported due to the high amount of vitamin A being ingested. These vitamins, or antibiotics, are not the cure to this deadly and infectious disease; in fact, they can evidently do more harm than good in severe cases.

There are smaller amounts of measles cases in 20 other states, none as highly impacted as Texas. The CDC has reported that the key to containing this is vaccination, and thankfully, vaccination rates have increased since cases of measles arose.

Let's go into detail about the solution to this crisis with the World Health Organization’s report on it. The vaccine for measles is the MMRV vaccine, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella. It is given in two doses for maximum effectiveness, usually received at 12 to 14 months and a second dosage at four to six years old, granting full immunization for life. The original MMR vaccine was developed in the 1970s and has been used for decades to provide protection from one of the most contagious diseases humans have ever faced. The MMR can also be called the MMRV vaccine since 2005 after adding varicella to the mix.

False information surrounding MMR arose in the 80s, connecting the vaccine to causing autism. The paper detailing this has since been withdrawn; the research was proven faulty in the 2010s. The doctor who wrote it has been banned from practicing medicine. 

CDC spokesperson Dr. Minisha Patel said that the “MMR is the best way to protect yourself, your families, your communities against measles.” 

Heeding that advice could save lives and put measles back where it belongs: near eradication. To keep an eye on this for yourself, check out the CDC’s map of measles cases across the U.S., it updates weekly to give you the most current and accurate information. 

Here are links to more information if you are interested:

https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/measles-children-texas-cod-liver-oil-rcna199761

https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/06/measles-texas-outbreak-death-unvaccinated/

https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html

https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/03/17/nx-s1-5328765/measles-outbreak-health-risk

https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/history-of-vaccination/history-of-measles-vaccination

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/measles-outbreak-us-map/