Measles By the Numbers: A Public Health Battle Unfolds in West Texas

Here in West Texas, the resurgence of measles serves as a sobering reminder that public health is an ongoing battle. Despite measles being declared eliminated in the U.S. back in 2000, the numbers from recent years tell a story of caution.

In 2015, there were 191 reported cases across the nation. The following year, 2016, saw a significant drop to 86 cases. However, the tide turned in 2017, when cases rose again to 120, signaling that the threat was far from vanishing.

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The situation worsened in 2018, with cases escalating sharply to 381. This upward trend reached a critical peak in 2019 when a staggering 1,274 cases were reported nationwide. For many Texans, including those in Lubbock, these numbers were alarming—a clear indication that lapses in vaccination coverage were having real consequences.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 temporarily suppressed measles transmission, and only 13 cases were reported that year. As restrictions eased, 2021 saw a rebound to 49 cases, followed by 121 cases in 2022. In 2023, the numbers fell to 59 cases, before the surge in 2024 brought the total to 285 cases.

Now, in 2025, preliminary data indicates that 133 measles cases have already been recorded. These fluctuations underscore a troubling trend: even in a country with advanced healthcare, pockets of under-vaccination remain, leaving communities exposed to a disease that once devastated millions of Americans.

Here’s a breakdown of reported measles cases in the U.S. by year since 2015:

• 2015: 191 cases
• 2016: 86 cases
• 2017: 120 cases
• 2018: 381 cases
• 2019: 1,274 cases
• 2020: 13 cases
• 2021: 49 cases
• 2022: 121 cases
• 2023: 59 cases
• 2024: 285 cases

In short, 2025 has not yet surpassed the high numbers from 2024, but continued vigilance is necessary to know if the current pace accelerates as the year unfolds.

Local health officials in Lubbock and throughout Texas are intensifying efforts to boost vaccination rates and educate the public on the critical importance of herd immunity. As we face these numbers head-on, the call to action is clear: renew our commitment to immunization and ensure that history does not repeat itself.