Minor measles outbreaks happen every year in the U.S., but this year’s outbreak is on track to be the largest in six years and could surpass the 285 cases reported in 2024. There are at least 164 people currently infected throughout nine states, according to the most recent CDC measles data.

One measles death, the first in 10 years , was reported last week. And although the CDC has yet to confirm any cases in Florida, CBS Miami and NPR have reported measles cases in Broward, Polk and Miami-Dade Counties.

Here’s what to know about the current measles outbreak, how common the measles is in the U.S., how it spreads and what the symptoms and treatment are.

Does Florida have a measles outbreak? What states are having a measles outbreak?

As of Feb. 27, 2025, the CDC reported 164 cases of the measles tied to three different outbreaks in nine different states. This is up from under 100 cases reported in eight different states on Feb. 20.

“As of February 27, 2025, a total of 164 measles cases were reported by 9 jurisdictions: Alaska, California, Georgia, Kentucky, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, Rhode Island and Texas," the CDC says.

“There have been 3 outbreaks (defined as 3 or more related cases) reported in 2025, and 93% of cases (153 of 164) are outbreak-associated. For comparison, 16 outbreaks were reported during 2024 and 69% of cases (198 of 285) were outbreak-associated."

Although the CDC doesn't identify Florida as one of the states where the outbreak is present, NPR reported nine cases in Florida during February and CBS News Miami confirmed one case at a high school in Miami-Dade County this week.

"In mid-February, a measles outbreak started at the Manatee Bay Elementary School in Broward County in South Florida," NPR reported on Feb. 28 . "There are now at least nine cases in the county and one additional one in Polk County in Central Florida."

CBS News Miami reported that there is at least one case of measles in Miami-Dade County, Florida, as of Wednesday, March 5.

"A student at Miami Palmetto Senior High School in Pinecrest has been diagnosed with measles, the first reported case in Miami-Dade County this year, prompting health officials to offer free vaccinations, according to an email obtained by CBS News Miami" CBS Miami wrote .

"The email, sent to parents, stated that while the risk of transmission is considered low for vaccinated individuals, the school is working with local health authorities to take necessary precautions."

Is there a measles outbreak every year?

It is true that there are measles cases and minor outbreaks reported almost every year, according to the CDC’s chart of year-to-year measles numbers since 2000, but measles was much more common in the 1980s and ‘90s.

According to the CDC’s history of the measles , the “widespread use of the measles vaccine drastically reduced the disease rates in the 20th century.”

Millions of Americans caught the measles each year before the introduction of the measles vaccine in 1963. Back then, hundreds of people died and tens of thousands were hospitalized every year.

Now, measles outbreaks happen on a much smaller scale, due to the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine, which most children get two doses of before they reach first grade.

According to CDC data, there were 285 cases of the measles in 2024. In 2019, the U.S. saw the largest outbreak of the measles since 1992, with 1,274 cases reported (there were 2,126 cases reported in 1992).

When was the last death from measles in the US?

“Sitting in the Cabinet Room of the White House during his first public appearance as the nation's top health official on Wednesday, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said two people had died in an ongoing measles outbreak in Texas,” USA TODAY reported Thursday, Feb. 27 .

“But national and local health officials − including the Department of Health and Human Services, the agency Kennedy heads − say only one person has died.”

Before this year, the last time someone in the U.S. died after contracting the measles was in 2015, according to the CDC and Reuters .

Is it safe to be around someone with measles?

Measles is highly contagious and can be easily contracted if you get close to someone who’s been infected, especially if you are unvaccinated.

“Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus. It spreads easily when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. It can cause severe disease, complications, and even death,” according to the World Health Organization (WHO) .

“Being vaccinated is the best way to prevent getting sick with measles or spreading it to other people. The vaccine is safe and helps your body fight off the virus.”

How do you get measles? What is the main cause of measles?

According to the CDC, measles is so contagious that you could contract it just by being in a room where a measles infected person had been up to two hours earlier.

“Measles is very contagious. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes,” the CDC says .

“You can get measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been. This can happen even up to two hours after that person has left.”

What are 5 symptoms of measles?

Measles is most often associated with a rash and fever, but the CDC says it “isn’t just a little rash” and can lead to dangerous complications, especially in children and babies.

The five main symptoms of the measles are fever, cough, runny nose, red or watery eyes, tiny white spots in the mouth and a rash.

According to the CDC, ear infections and diarrhea are the most common complications among those infected with measles.

“Ear infections occur in about one out of every 10 children with measles,” the CDC says. “Diarrhea is reported in less than one out of 10 people with measles.”

What is the best treatment for measles?

The best treatment for measles is technically prevention through vaccination, since there’s no medical treatment for the disease once a person has contracted it.

“There is no specific antiviral therapy for measles. Medical care is supportive and to help relieve symptoms and address complications such as bacterial infections,” the CDC says.

“Since 2000, the annual number of cases has ranged from a low of 37 in 2004; to a high of 1,282 in 2019. The majority of cases in the United States have been among people who are not vaccinated against measles.”