In July, the United States recorded its highest number of annual measles cases in 33 years. In a nation that declared measles eliminated in 2000, upward of 1,400 cases have been recorded in 2025 so far.
Measles is among the most contagious diseases, killing or disabling thousands each year. In high-income nations, measles still kills or disables as many as three per 1,000 infected. In low-income countries, the threat is much greater.
In today’s interconnected world, borders offer no protection. Past U.S. flare-ups have been traced back to the Philippines, Israel, and Ukraine, among others. In 2023, 57 countries battled large-scale measles outbreaks. With measles cases located in countries across different continents, we’re reminded that our response to recent surges must be global.
About the author
Jonny Barty
Jonny Barty is CEO at Acasus. He leads large-scale reform efforts to improve immunization coverage, strengthen health systems, and expand access to care in some of the world’s toughest settings — from boosting vaccine uptake in Afghanistan to improving last-mile service delivery in Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, and beyond.
