History of Measles in Timeline

Measles, also known as morbilli or rubeola, is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by the measles virus. It is preventable through vaccination. The disease has been historically referred to as 9-day measles, red measles, and English measles.

1914: Measles Mortality Statistics

In 1914, a statistician for the Prudential Insurance Company estimated from a survey of 22 countries that 1% of all deaths in the temperate zone were caused by measles. He observed also that 1–6% of cases of measles ended fatally, the difference depending on age, social conditions and pre-existing health conditions.

1954: Measles Virus Isolated

In 1954, John Enders and Thomas C. Peebles isolated the measles virus from a 13-year-old boy from the United States, David Edmonston, using similar techniques to those used to propagate the poliovirus.

1957: Concept of critical community size recognized by M.S. Bartlett

In 1957, M.S. Bartlett recognized the concept of critical community size (CCS) for measles, referring to the minimum number supporting measles.

1957: Presumptive evidence of measles immunity

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that birth before 1957 is presumptive evidence of measles immunity, because people born before 1957 are likely to have been naturally infected with the measles virus.

1963: Atypical measles vaccine

Atypical measles was reported in recipients of the inactivated measles vaccine used between 1963 and 1967.

1963: First Successful Measles Vaccine Developed

In 1963, Maurice Hilleman at Merck developed the first successful measles vaccine, which became widely available in the United States. It was associated with post-immunization reactions including fever and rash.

1965: Introduction of Schwartz Strain

In 1965, the Schwartz strain of the measles vaccine was introduced in an effort to reduce post-immunization reactions; it is no longer used.

1967: Atypical measles vaccine

Atypical measles was reported in recipients of the inactivated measles vaccine used between 1963 and 1967.

1967: Killed Measles Vaccine Discontinued

The killed measles vaccine, which was given between 1963 and 1967, was discontinued in favor of the live-attenuated vaccine due to the risk of atypical measles and inferior protection.

1968: Introduction of Edmonston-Enders Strain

In 1968, the Edmonston-Enders strain of the measles vaccine was introduced in an effort to reduce post-immunization reactions.

1971: MMR Vaccine Licensed

In 1971, the measles vaccine was combined with the mumps vaccine and rubella vaccine to create the MMR vaccine, which was licensed for use in the United States.

1975: Edmonston B Vaccine Discontinued

In 1975, the Edmonston B strain of the measles vaccine was discontinued.

1980: Measles Deaths in 1980

In 1980, 2.6 million people died from measles.

1985: Measles death rate in U.S. cases

Among measles cases reported in the U.S. in 1985 to 1992, death occurred in 0.2% of cases.

1987: Case fatality rate across the United States

Between 1987 and 2000, the case fatality rate across the United States was three deaths per 1,000 cases attributable to measles, or 0.3%.

1990: Measles Deaths in 1990

In 1990, 545,000 people died due to measles.

1991: Measles Outbreak in Philadelphia

In 1991, a measles outbreak in Philadelphia centered around the Faith Tabernacle Congregation, a faith-healing church discouraging vaccination. Over 1400 people were infected, and nine children died.

1992: Measles death rate in U.S. cases

Among measles cases reported in the U.S. in 1985 to 1992, death occurred in 0.2% of cases.

1992: Greatest Number of Measles Cases Reported since 1992

From January to December 2019, 1,282 individual cases of measles were confirmed in 31 states. This is the greatest number of cases reported in the US since 1992.

1996: Increase in measles cases

By 2019, cases had increased to a total of 870,000, the highest since 1996.

1997: Highest Measles Caseload in Europe since 1997

In 2024, there were 127,350 cases being reported, which was the highest caseload in the region since 1997.

1999: Worldwide Measles Fatality Rate Reduction

Worldwide, measles fatalities fell 60% from an estimated 873,000 deaths in 1999 to 345,000 in 2005 due to a vaccination campaign led by partners in the Measles Initiative.

2000: Measles Eliminated in the US

As of April 2019, this is the highest number of measles cases since measles was declared eliminated in 2000.

2000: Case fatality rate across the United States

Between 1987 and 2000, the case fatality rate across the United States was three deaths per 1,000 cases attributable to measles, or 0.3%.

2000: Measles Cases Reduced in the United States

By 2000, consistent and widespread childhood vaccination efforts had reduced measles cases in the United States to approximately 1 case per million people.

2000: WHO established Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network

In 2000, the WHO established the Global Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network (GMRLN).

2000: Decrease in deaths from measles

In 2000, vaccination resulted in an 80% decrease in deaths from measles between 2000 and 2017.

2001: Measles cases from 2001 to 2011 in the United States

From 2001 to 2011, there were 911 measles cases in the United States.

2001: Eradication of Rinderpest

In 2001, Rinderpest, a cattle virus closely related to the measles virus, was eradicated.

2003: First Measles Fatality in the U.S. since 2003

In 2015, a measles death happened, which was the first fatality in the U.S. from measles since 2003.

2005: MMRV Vaccine Licensed

In 2005, the MMR vaccine was combined with the varicella vaccine to create the MMRV vaccine, which was licensed.

2005: Worldwide Measles Fatality Rate Reduction

Worldwide, measles fatalities fell 60% from an estimated 873,000 deaths in 1999 to 345,000 in 2005 due to a vaccination campaign led by partners in the Measles Initiative.

2007: Measles death rates in England and Wales

From 2007 to 2017, death occurred between two and three cases out of 10,000 in England and Wales.

2008: Measles deaths fall

Estimates for 2008 indicate deaths fell further to 164,000 globally, with 77% of the remaining measles deaths in 2008 occurring within the Southeast Asian region.

2011: Measles cases from 2001 to 2011 in the United States

From 2001 to 2011, there were 911 measles cases in the United States.

2011: Stefan Lanka's Measles Challenge

In 2011, German anti-vaccination campaigner Stefan Lanka offered €100,000 to anyone who could scientifically prove that measles is caused by a virus and determine the virus's diameter, claiming the illness is psychosomatic. This challenge sparked controversy and legal battles when evidence was presented but rejected by Lanka, leading to international coverage and criticism.

2011: WHO estimate of measles deaths

In 2011, the WHO estimated that 158,000 deaths were caused by measles.

2012: Decrease in measles deaths

In 2012, the number of deaths due to measles was 78% lower than in 2000 due to increased rates of immunization among UN member states.

2013: Measles cases in Europe

In 2013, there were almost 10,000 measles cases in 30 European countries.

October 2014: Measles outbreak in Berlin

Between October 2014 and March 2015, a measles outbreak in the German capital of Berlin resulted in at least 782 cases.

December 2014: Disneyland Measles Outbreak

In late December 2014, an outbreak of measles believed to have originated from Disneyland in California led to 147 infections across seven U.S. states, Mexico, and Canada, primarily among unvaccinated or those with unknown vaccination status.

2014: Global vaccination programs reduce measles deaths

By 2014, global vaccination programs had reduced the number of deaths from measles to 73,000.

2014: Measles Outbreak in Ohio

In 2014, an outbreak of measles was initiated in Ohio when two unvaccinated Amish men returning from missionary work in the Philippines spread the disease in a community with low vaccination rates, leading to 383 cases across nine counties.

2014: CDC States Endemic Measles, Rubella, and Congenital Rubella Syndrome Had Not Returned

In 2014, the CDC stated that endemic measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome had not returned to the United States, although occasional outbreaks persist due to imported cases.

2014: Vietnamese Measles Epidemic

In the spring of 2014, an estimated 8,500 measles cases were reported in Vietnam as of April 19, with 114 fatalities. By May 30, 21,639 suspected measles cases had been reported, with 142 measles-related fatalities.

March 2015: Measles outbreak in Berlin

Between October 2014 and March 2015, a measles outbreak in the German capital of Berlin resulted in at least 782 cases.

April 2015: Measles Cases Reported to CDC

From January 4 to April 2, 2015, 159 cases of measles were reported to the CDC, with 70% linked to an earlier exposure in December 2014.

2015: Measles Fatality in the U.S.

In 2015, a U.S. woman in Washington state who was vaccinated but immunocompromised, died of pneumonia as a result of a measles infection, marking the first measles fatality in the U.S. since 2003.

2015: First Measles Death since 2015

On 26 February 2025, the first measles death since 2015 was reported to be that of an unvaccinated school-aged child in West Texas.

August 2016: Measles Outbreak in Myanmar

In August 2016, at least 40 children died during a measles outbreak in the Naga Self-Administered Zone in a remote northern region of Myanmar, likely due to a lack of vaccination.

2016: Global decrease in measles cases

Between 2000 and 2016, global cases decreased by 84%.

2016: Measles virus genotypes decreasing

Data from 2016 to 2018 show that the most frequently detected measles virus genotypes are decreasing.

2016: Brazil Wins Measles Elimination Certificate

In 2016, Brazil won a measles elimination certificate by the Pan American Health Organization.

2016: Cochrane review on Vitamin A and measles

In 2016, a Cochrane review of two randomised controlled trials (RCTs) found no trials that assessed whether vitamin A supplementation in children with measles prevents blindness.

2016: Record low of measles cases reported in Europe

In 2016, a record low of 4,400 measles cases in Europe were reported.

2016: Measles Eliminated from the Americas

In 2016, due to widespread vaccination efforts, measles was declared eliminated from the Americas.

2016: Measles Interrupted in Brazil

In 2016, the spread of measles had been interrupted in Brazil, with the last-known case twelve months earlier in the state of Ceará.

June 2017: Measles Case Confirmed in Maine

In June 2017, the Maine Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory confirmed a case of measles in Franklin County, marking the first case in 20 years for the state of Maine.

2017: Worldwide Measles Vaccination

As of 2017, about 85% of children worldwide had received their first dose of the measles vaccine. Rates of disease and deaths increased from 2017 on due to a decrease in vaccination.

2017: Measles death rates in England and Wales

From 2007 to 2017, death occurred between two and three cases out of 10,000 in England and Wales.

2017: Measles resurgence in Europe

From 2017, a measles resurgence in Europe started to occur with numbers increasing in that year to 21,315 cases, with 35 deaths.

2017: Measles reproductive number estimates review

In 2017, a review of measles's reproductive number estimates provided a range of 3.7 to 203.3.

2017: Measles cases in the Americas in 2017

In 2017, measles cases reappeared in the Americas despite the disease being declared eliminated in 2016.

2017: Measles Cases in Brooklyn

In 2017, there were only two cases of measles in Brooklyn.

2017: Measles-related deaths globally in 2017

In 2018, there were 142,300 measles related deaths globally, of which most cases were reported from African and eastern Mediterranean regions. These estimates were slightly higher than that of 2017, when 124,000 deaths were reported due to measles infection globally.

July 2018: Measles Case in Portland, Oregon

In July 2018, one measles case occurred in Portland, Oregon, exposing 500 people. Forty of them lacked immunity to the virus and were being monitored by county health officials.

August 2018: Measles Outbreaks in Brazil

By August 2018, Brazil had identified two measles outbreaks, one in the state of Amazonas and another in Roraima, in addition to cases in other states, totaling 1,053 confirmed cases. The contagion was related to the importation of the virus, especially from Venezuela.

October 2018: Measles Outbreak in Brooklyn

In October 2018, a measles outbreak began in Brooklyn, with over 200 reported cases lasting until February 2019. This outbreak was linked to the population density of the Orthodox Jewish community and traced back to an unvaccinated child who contracted measles while visiting Israel.

2018: Measles deaths

As of 2018, measles remains a leading cause of vaccine-preventable deaths in the world.

2018: Measles virus genotypes decreasing

Data from 2016 to 2018 show that the most frequently detected measles virus genotypes are decreasing.

2018: Measles cases in the Americas in 2018

In 2018, measles cases reappeared in the Americas despite the disease being declared eliminated in 2016.

2018: Measles Vaccination Rate in Samoa

In 2018, the measles vaccination rate in Samoa was 31 to 34%.

2018: Measles-related deaths globally in 2018

In 2018, there were 142,300 measles related deaths globally, of which most cases were reported from African and eastern Mediterranean regions. These estimates were slightly higher than that of 2017.

2018: Measles Cases in Brooklyn

In 2018, there were 285 cases of measles centred on the Orthodox Jewish areas of Brooklyn.

2018: Increase in measles cases

In 2019, measles cases reported in the first three months of 2019 were 300% higher than in the first three months of 2018.

2018: Measles cases increase in Europe

In preliminary figures for 2018, reported measles cases in Europe increased 3-fold to 82,596 in 47 countries, with 72 deaths; Ukraine had the most cases (53,218), with the highest incidence rates being in Ukraine (1209 cases per million), Serbia (579), Georgia (564) and Albania (500).

February 2019: Measles Outbreak in Brooklyn

In February 2019, a measles outbreak that began in October 2018 in Brooklyn continued, with over 200 reported cases. The outbreak was linked to the Orthodox Jewish community and traced back to an unvaccinated child who contracted measles while visiting Israel.

April 2019: Measles Resurgence in the United States

In April 2019, a resurgence of measles in the United States prompted New York Mayor Bill de Blasio to declare a public health emergency. As of April 2019, 695 cases had been reported across 22 states, primarily among those 19 years old or younger, and tied to parents choosing not to have their children vaccinated.

April 2019: Highest Number of Measles Cases Since Elimination in 2000

As of April 2019, there had been 695 cases of measles reported in 22 states, which marked the highest number of measles cases since measles was declared eliminated in 2000.

May 2019: Measles Outbreak Among the Malaysian Orang Asli

From May 2019, a measles outbreak occurred among the Malaysian Orang Asli sub-group of Batek people in the state of Kelantan, causing the deaths of 15 from the tribe.

August 2019: Measles Outbreaks in Africa

As of August 2019, measles outbreaks were occurring in Angola, Cameroon, Chad, Nigeria, South Sudan, and Sudan.

December 2019: Measles Cases Confirmed in 31 States

From January to December 2019, 1,282 individual cases of measles were confirmed in 31 states in the US. Of these cases, 128 people were hospitalized, and 61 reported complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis.

December 2019: Measles Vaccination Rate Increase in Samoa

In December 2019, a vaccination campaign in Samoa brought the measles vaccination rate from 31 to 34% in 2018 to an estimated 94% of the eligible population.

2019: Increase in measles cases

By 2019, cases had increased to a total of 870,000, the highest since 1996.

2019: Measles Outbreak in Madagascar

In 2019, a measles outbreak in Madagascar resulted in nearly 5,000 deaths and 250,000 infections after spreading to all provinces in the country. Most deaths were among children under five years of age, and the World Health Organization (WHO) reported it as the world's largest and fastest-moving epidemic.

2019: Measles cases in the Americas in 2019

In 2019, measles cases reappeared in the Americas despite the disease being declared eliminated in 2016.

2019: Increase in measles cases compared to previous year

In 2019, measles cases reported in the first three months of 2019 were 300% higher than in the first three months of 2018. The total number of cases worldwide climbed to 869,770.

2019: Measles Outbreaks Lead to Loss of Measles-Free Status

In 2019, several countries including the United Kingdom, Albania, the Czech Republic, and Greece lost their measles-free status. The ongoing spread of the disease in these countries led to 90,000 cases in Europe during the first 6 months of 2019.

2020: Measles Cases fall to pre-outbreak levels

Following the end of the 2019 outbreak, reported measles cases fell to pre-outbreak levels in the US with 13 cases in 2020.

2020: COVID-19 pandemic hindered vaccination campaigns

In 2020, according to the WHO, the COVID-19 pandemic hindered vaccination campaigns in at least 68 countries, causing increased risk of additional measles cases.

2020: Measles cases in the Americas in 2020

In 2020, measles cases reappeared in the Americas despite the disease being declared eliminated in 2016.

2021: Measles Cases in the US

Following the end of the 2019 outbreak, reported measles cases fell to pre-outbreak levels in the US with 49 cases in 2021.

2022: Measles Cases in the US

Following the end of the 2019 outbreak, reported measles cases fell to pre-outbreak levels in the US with 121 cases in 2022.

2022: Estimated measles deaths

In 2022, there were an estimated 136,000 measles deaths globally, mostly among unvaccinated or under vaccinated children under the age of 5 years.

2023: Measles cases increase reported by WHO and CDC

In November 2024, the WHO and CDC reported that measles cases increased by 20% in 2023, primarily due to insufficient vaccine coverage in the world's poorest and conflict-affected regions, increasing from about 8.6 to 10.3 million cases. Nearly half of the major outbreaks and 64% of the individual cases occurred in Africa.

February 2024: Measles outbreak risk due to COVID-19 disruptions

In February 2024, the World Health Organization said more than half of the world was at risk of a measles outbreak due to COVID-19 pandemic-related disruptions.

November 2024: Measles cases increase reported by WHO and CDC

In November 2024, the WHO and CDC reported that measles cases increased by 20% in 2023.

2024: Measles Cases Lower than March 2025

As of March 2025, the CDC recorded 483 confirmed measles cases across 20 states, resulting in 2 deaths and 70 hospitalizations. This figure exceeded the entire 2024 total of 285 cases.

2024: Significant Increase in Measles Cases in Europe

In 2024, Europe experienced a substantial surge in measles cases, with 127,350 cases reported. This was the highest caseload in the region since 1997, accounting for approximately one-third of all measles cases globally in 2024.

2024: Measles Outbreak in Bangsamoro Region in the Philippines

In 2024, a measles outbreak was declared in the Bangsamoro region in the Philippines with at least 592 cases and 3 deaths.

February 2025: Measles Outbreak in Texas and New Mexico

As of February 2025, a measles outbreak was ongoing amongst unvaccinated communities in Texas and New Mexico. The first measles death since 2015 was reported to be that of an unvaccinated school-aged child in West Texas on February 26. The confirmed number of measles cases in this outbreak was 124 as of February 26, 2025.

March 2025: Measles Cases Recorded by CDC

As of March 2025, the CDC recorded 483 confirmed measles cases across 20 states, resulting in 2 deaths and 70 hospitalizations. This figure exceeded the entire 2024 total of 285 cases.

May 2025: Measles outbreak in West Texas and promotion of Vitamin A by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

In May 2025, during the Southwest United States measles outbreak centered in West Texas, some families refused vaccines and instead opted for giving vitamin A supplements or vitamins A- and D-containing cod liver oil to their children after Robert F. Kennedy Jr., promoted vitamin A as prevention and treatment. Despite side effects like liver damage, Kennedy continued to endorse vitamin A during the measles epidemic, a response for which he has been widely criticized.

August 2025: Measles Outbreak in Alberta

In August 2025, a measles outbreak in Alberta resulted in 1800 confirmed cases. Health experts advised Albertans to ensure their measles vaccinations were up to date.

2025: Measles cases in the Americas in 2025

In 2025, measles cases reappeared in the Americas despite the disease being declared eliminated in 2016.

2025: Measles outbreak and hypervitaminosis A

In the 2025 U.S. outbreak, children are presenting at hospitals with measles and hypervitaminosis A because their parents were administering vitamin A sources (supplements or cod liver oil) as attempts of protection before the children became ill with measles.