The WHO Report on the Measles Outbreaks in the USA
Cases in Kansas are linked to the measles outbreak in Texas.
Ironically, it has taken a report from the WHO for us to get some new information on the measles outbreaks in the United States.
“From 1 January 2025 to 20 March 2025, the US CDC reported 128 measles DNA sequences. Texas submitted 92 identical DNA sequences in genotype D8; while 10 DNA sequences from New Mexico and one DNA sequence from Kansas were identical to those from Texas.”
Measles - United States of America
The WHO that we are no longer a part of…
The WHO Report on the Measles Outbreaks in the USA
So while the CDC has been mum on the genotypes in the outbreaks and we have had to ask local or state health departments for that info, we now know that the Texas measles outbreak (400 cases) has spread to Kansas!
Altogether then. this outbreak now includes:
Kansas (23 cases)
New Mexico (44 cases)
Oklahoma (9 cases)
Chihuahua, Mexico (39 cases)
With an ongoing, multi-country, multi-state outbreak, it’s no wonder that the WHO is interested.
“WHO has issued epidemiological alerts and updates due to the increase in measles cases in several countries in the WHO Region of the Americas that started in 2024… The public health risk in the Region of the Americas for measles is considered high due to the persistence of the circulation of the virus from imported cases, which have resulted in a limited number of outbreaks, with several generations of cases and the appearance of cases associated with pre-existing outbreaks in new geographical areas.”
Measles - United States of America
And while the general advice for folks traveling out of the United States is to be sure to be completely vaccinated and protected, there are new warnings about traveling to the USA!
“WHO advises international travellers to check and update their vaccination status against measles prior to departure, including when planning to travel to the United States.”
Measles - United States of America
That’s likely because in addition to the Texas outbreak, there are sporadic cases of measles popping up in many other states, putting the USA on track for a very big measles year.
A big measles year that can be stopped if more people simply got vaccinated and protected.
References
Measles - United States of America https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2025-DON561
‘Importó’ Chihuahua sarampión de Texas https://eldiariodelnoroeste.mx/estado/2025/mar/19/importo-chihuahua-sarampion-de-texas-686135.html