Three more US states—Louisiana, Virginia, and Missouri—confirmed their first measles cases of 2025 over the weekend, pushing the current outbreak to over half of all US states and marking one of the most significant resurgences in recent years. According to a report by UPI, the total number of confirmed cases across at least 27 states has climbed to 800, with the vast majority being either unvaccinated or of unknown vaccination status. This growing crisis reflects deeper global trends in vaccine coverage and highlights crucial public health lessons for Thailand, where measles cases have also risen sharply over the last two years (UPI, CDC).
Measles, known in Thai as ‘โรคหัด’, is one of the most contagious diseases on earth, and outbreaks anywhere are a cause for concern everywhere, given modern patterns of global travel. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that of the 800 cases so far this year, 96% were among people not vaccinated or whose vaccination status was uncertain. Hospitalizations have risen to 85, with three reported deaths. Texas leads the nation with nearly 600 cases, underscoring how quickly the virus can spread in susceptible populations (CDC). The spread in Louisiana, Virginia, and Missouri remains linked to international travel, with each state’s index case having recently returned from abroad. Health officials are racing to identify and notify possible contacts, hoping to interrupt secondary transmission chains (NBC News).
The return of measles to countries where it was once eliminated—like the United States—raises pressing questions for Thai readers. Thailand, too, faces growing risks: in 2024, over 2,000 confirmed cases and more than 4,000 suspected cases were reported. The World Health Organization (WHO) ranks Thailand among the countries with the highest measles burden in recent months, with ongoing outbreaks being fueled by both imported cases and waning local vaccine coverage (WHO, WellMed Bangkok). According to the Ministry of Public Health, Thailand saw a clear surge starting in February 2024, and has reported continued elevated transmission into 2025 (PDF – Thai Health Department report).
The underlying factor driving these outbreaks—both in the US and Thailand—is gaps in measles vaccination. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is over 97% effective after two doses, yet recent global disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic have led to missed childhood vaccinations, creating vulnerable “pockets” even where national coverage is high (PubMed – Global Burden of Disease Study 2021). Dr. Laurie Forlano, Virginia’s State Epidemiologist, stressed: “Vaccination remains our best defense against measles and is safe and highly effective at protecting people and preventing outbreaks. We urge Virginians, especially those planning to travel, to check their vaccination status, talk to their healthcare provider and get the MMR vaccine if needed.” This message holds equal weight in Thailand, especially with increased outbound and inbound international travel as pandemic-era restrictions loosen (UPI).
International health experts warn that the contagiousness of measles (with a basic reproductive number, R0, of 12-18) means even a small drop in vaccine coverage can trigger outbreaks. The disease is transmitted by respiratory droplets and can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a room—an important detail that many Thai schools and community centers may overlook (Wikipedia – Measles). The CDC and WHO both emphasize rapid isolation of suspected cases and “ring vaccination” of close contacts to limit the spread (CDC).
Thailand’s rapid urbanization and close-knit family structures present unique challenges. Children under five remain at particular risk, especially in regions where the second dose of MMR vaccine—the most crucial for complete protection—lags behind national targets. In 2022-23, delays and uneven delivery of the second dose were cited as key contributors to outbreaks in both US and Asian populations (PubMed study – Timeliness of second dose, Ethiopia). Just as in the US, imported cases from neighboring countries and increased mobility promote “spark-plug” events, which can set off larger outbreaks in under-vaccinated communities.
Dr. John Brownstein, an epidemiologist at Harvard Medical School, recently remarked to NBC News, “We’re seeing the repercussions of pandemic-era disruptions, with immunity gaps manifesting now. This isn’t just a US or European issue—it’s a wake-up call for every country.” His warning rings particularly true for Thailand: the 2024-25 surge has not been limited to border provinces; clusters have appeared in Bangkok and other major cities.
The cultural memory of measles in Thailand—commonly considered a routine childhood illness before widespread immunization—may lead some to underestimate its dangers. Historically, severe complications in poorly nourished children and fatal cases were more common during the 1950s and 1960s outbreaks, a fact sometimes forgotten today. “เด็กไทยรอดได้ด้วยวัคซีน” (Thai children can be saved by vaccines) became a public health slogan in the 1980s. Yet, despite decades of vaccine success, public confidence and timely uptake remain critical (WellMed Bangkok).
Looking forward, health authorities in both the United States and Thailand are focusing interventions on boosting routine immunization, targeted “catch-up” campaigns, and swift outbreak response. Methodological innovations such as geospatial vaccine coverage mapping, as demonstrated in recent research from the Global Burden of Disease study and Ethiopian case modeling, offer a way to identify subnational “gaps” and direct resources more effectively (PubMed – Dynamic modeling Ethiopia). Thai policymakers can apply these tools to identify communities or age groups where additional support and outreach are needed.
For Thai families, the most important step remains simple: check that all children (and adults without documented immunity) have received two doses of MMR, as recommended by the Ministry of Public Health. Travelers, especially those heading abroad or to high-risk areas, should ensure their immunization is up to date. Schools and childcare settings should continue to enforce strict exclusion and notification policies for any suspected fever-rash cases, while healthcare providers are urged to report any measles case immediately for rapid outbreak containment.
In a world of easy cross-border movement, measles “anywhere” can quickly become measles “everywhere.” The recent US outbreak underlines the need for Thailand to remain vigilant, strengthen vaccine programs, and remind the public that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”—a truth as relevant now as ever.
Sources:
- UPI: Three more states confirm measles cases
- CDC: Measles Data and Research
- WHO: Global Measles Outbreaks
- NBC News: Louisiana, Missouri and Virginia report first measles cases of 2025
- WellMed Bangkok: Measles Thailand Surge in 2024
- Thai Ministry of Public Health report, Sep 2024 (PDF)
- Wikipedia: Measles
- PubMed: Global, regional, and national trends of measles burden
- PubMed: Dynamic modeling of measles outbreaks