CDC tallies 4,588 US measles cases as oversight shifts

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 4,588 confirmed measles cases in the United States as of Friday. This total represents more than double the national count recorded for 2025. The agency identified 178 new infections during the week, adding to a total of at least 43 active outbreaks across the country.

Pennsylvania continues to report the highest number of cases, with 1,338 confirmed infections on the same day. South Carolina and Utah also recorded significant numbers, with each state reporting more than 500 cases. Health officials noted that these official figures likely undercount the true spread of the disease. Many individuals with symptoms such as rash, fever, and cough do not immediately seek medical care.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Secretary of Health and Human Services, has moved to restructure vaccine oversight within the department. This week, HHS announced changes to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, or VAERS. The proposal would allow physicians to bill for reporting suspected vaccine injuries. Experts have criticized the CDC for a lack of transparency regarding how it tallies measles-related deaths.

A discrepancy exists between state and federal death counts. Pennsylvania authorities have reported five measles-associated deaths and are investigating a sixth. The CDC has reported three national deaths but has not specified the location of the third death. According to Reuters, Kennedy asked senior CDC officials in September to remove one measles death from the official tally after questioning if the disease contributed to the fatality.

Kennedy has made several public statements regarding vaccine safety and administration. He claimed children receive more than 90 vaccine doses, a figure he later described as misleading. He also stated that the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine contains aborted fetal debris. Additionally, he directed the CDC to remove language from its website confirming that vaccines do not cause autism, despite extensive evidence to the contrary.

The Secretary replaced all 17 members of the expert panel that previously evaluated vaccine changes. He appointed new members who aligned with his ideological views. A court blocked the formal appointment of these new board members in March. Kennedy also suggested that vitamin A and cod liver oil might help children suffering from measles, a claim leading physicians described as misleading given the standard medical understanding of the disease.

The measles vaccine is 97% effective at preventing the illness. Without vaccination, one in five infected individuals requires hospitalization. Approximately one to three people per 1,000 die from disease-related complications. Common side effects of the vaccine include soreness at the injection site and low-grade fever.