Arizona Confirms Measles Outbreak in Navajo County

Arizona has reported its first measles outbreak of the year, with four confirmed cases in Navajo County—all unvaccinated individuals with links to international travel.

The outbreak is part of a wider surge in measles across North America. The U.S. has logged 1,168 cases in 2025 so far, according to the CDC. Nationwide, 122 new infections were reported last week alone.

Though Texas experienced the largest U.S. outbreak earlier this year—with 744 cases across 35 counties—it has now shifted to weekly updates as new cases slow. Measles-related deaths this year include two unvaccinated children in West Texas and an adult in New Mexico.

Several other U.S. states are currently experiencing outbreaks, defined as three or more related cases. These include Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, and Oklahoma. Notably:

• Montana has reported 17 cases—its first in 35 years.

• Kansas confirmed 71 cases across 11 counties.

• Colorado linked 8 of its 14 cases to a Turkish Airlines flight to Denver.

In Canada, Ontario leads with over 2,000 cases and one infant death, while Mexico’s Chihuahua state has seen 1,940 infections and four deaths.

Health experts stress the importance of MMR vaccination (measles, mumps, rubella) to prevent infection. The CDC recommends two doses for children and advises adults unsure of their immunity to consult healthcare providers. Communities with vaccination rates below 95% are especially vulnerable to outbreaks.

Measles spreads through the air and can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, brain inflammation, and death—especially in unvaccinated individuals.