U.S. measles infections have reached 1,288 so far this year, topping the 1,274 cases logged in 2019 and marking the highest annual total since 1992, according to data released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The milestone comes just 25 years after the virus was declared eliminated nationally in 2000.

The surge is being driven by 27 recognised outbreaks in 38 states. Texas alone accounts for roughly 750 infections, most linked to a West Texas Mennonite community where vaccination rates are low. Nationwide, 92 % of patients are either unvaccinated or have unknown vaccine status, and about 12 % have required hospital care. Health officials have confirmed three deaths—two school-aged children in Texas and an adult in New Mexico.

Read more

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. convened a newly constituted vaccine advisory committee on 25–26 June after dismissing all 17 members of the long-standing Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The seven-member panel, led by biostatistician Martin Kulldorff, opened its first session by pledging to examine the entire childhood and adolescent immunization schedule, the cumulative exposure to vaccine ingredients, and the continued use of older shots.

Read more

Former Food and Drug Administration commissioner Scott Gottlieb said an autism report that independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to release this fall will claim that aluminum adjuvants used in many childhood vaccines cause autism. Gottlieb warned that the document could spur a surge of lawsuits against vaccine manufacturers through the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.

Gottlieb added that, should courts or regulators require producers to drop aluminum salts, “a lot of vaccines” might have to be withdrawn because effective substitutes are not yet commercially available. Aluminum adjuvants are included in widely used vaccines such as those for hepatitis A and B, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis and human papillomavirus, meaning any supply disruption could undermine routine immunization programs.

Kennedy, a long-time critic of vaccine safety oversight, has repeatedly questioned the use of aluminum, thimerosal and other additives. In recent television appearances he has pledged to pursue “real science” and restore public trust in health agencies, but he has not yet released the report or disclosed the evidence it will rely on.

Kenya has launched a nationwide vaccination campaign targeting over 22 million children aged 9 months to 14 years to protect against typhoid, measles, and rubella. The campaign, running from July 5 to 14, 2025, includes the introduction of the typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV) for the first time in the country. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale officially launched the integrated immunization drive at Githogoro Grounds in Westlands, Nairobi, emphasizing the government's commitment to immunization with allocated budget resources for vaccine procurement and delivery. The campaign aims to curb the burden of preventable diseases amid a surge in antimicrobial-resistant typhoid cases and targets children across all 47 counties, including specific efforts in Kilifi, Machakos, Trans Mara, Kakamega, and Makueni counties.

The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with UNICEF and supported by the World Health Organization, is providing vaccines in all immunizing facilities nationwide. Health officials have urged parents to ensure their children receive the vaccines, addressing concerns about vaccine resistance and stigma. The campaign also seeks to catch up on routine childhood vaccinations following recent nationwide shortages. Medical experts highlighted the importance of the campaign in controlling the spread of typhoid and measles, both of which pose significant health risks to children. The government has prioritized this immunization drive as part of its broader public health strategy to reduce child morbidity and mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases.

Kenya has launched a nationwide vaccination campaign targeting over 20 million children aged between 9 months and 14 years to protect against typhoid and measles-rubella. The campaign, which runs from July 5 to July 14, 2025, includes the introduction of the typhoid conjugate vaccine for the first time in the country. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale officially inaugurated the integrated immunization drive at Githogoro Grounds in Westlands, Nairobi. The initiative aims to address the rising cases of antimicrobial-resistant typhoid and prevent outbreaks of measles and rubella.

More than 100,000 typhoid cases are reported annually in Kenya, with 18 counties affected by typhoid and measles outbreaks. The campaign also targets specific regions such as Trans Mara, where at least 76,000 children are expected to be vaccinated, and Kilifi County, where over 600,000 children will receive the vaccines. The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with UNICEF, is spearheading the effort, emphasizing the safety and importance of the vaccines amid some public resistance and stigma. The government has allocated resources in the 2025/26 budget to ensure vaccine procurement and delivery, aiming to prevent stockouts and ensure no child misses vaccination.

A man in his 50s from northern New South Wales has died after contracting Australian bat lyssavirus, the state’s health authority said on 3 July. The case is the first recorded human fatality in New South Wales and only the fourth documented infection nationwide since the virus was identified in 1996.

Health officials stated that the victim was bitten by a bat carrying the virus several months ago and received initial treatment, but his condition deteriorated this week and he died in hospital. Australian bat lyssavirus is a close relative of rabies; once symptoms such as headache, fever and fatigue appear, the disease rapidly progresses to paralysis and death. There is no effective therapy after onset.

Read more

A measles outbreak has been confirmed in a county detention facility in Luna County, New Mexico, where five inmates tested positive for the virus. The New Mexico Department of Health is investigating the situation, and federal officials have reported an additional 13 cases. The outbreak is part of a broader resurgence of measles across the Americas, with cases rising 29-fold compared to the previous year, according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). In the United States, new cases have been reported in several states including Wyoming, which recorded its first measles case in 15 years in an unvaccinated child, Kentucky experiencing its first outbreak of 2025, and Bexar County, Texas, confirming its first case amid the ongoing outbreak.

Mexico is also facing a measles outbreak with over 2,900 cases diagnosed, prompting health authorities to expand vaccination campaigns to include people aged 1 to 49 years and to vaccinate migrant workers along the northern border. Baja California has reported 40 suspected cases, and health officials continue efforts to contain the spread. The increase in measles cases highlights ongoing challenges in vaccination coverage and disease control in the region.

North American health authorities reported a new round of measles infections, underscoring the virus’s continued spread despite high overall vaccination coverage. Texas remains the U.S. epicenter with 753 confirmed cases since late January, according to the state’s Department of State Health Services. Three infections were added in the past week and officials have documented 99 hospitalisations and two pediatric deaths, nearly all among unvaccinated people.

Read more

Japan is experiencing a record surge in whooping cough (pertussis) cases, with the number of infections reaching unprecedented levels. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare reported that the weekly number of whooping cough patients hit 3,353 in early July 2025, marking the highest weekly figure since data collection began in 2018. This figure surpassed the previous peak of 3,044 cases recorded in mid-June. The cumulative number of whooping cough cases since January 2025 has exceeded 39,672, which is approximately 2.4 times higher than the previous record set in 2019 and nearly eight times the total cases reported in 2024.

The infection is particularly prevalent among children in elementary and middle schools, raising concerns about transmission to infants who are at risk of severe complications such as convulsions, respiratory arrest, pneumonia, brain inflammation, and even death. Experts attribute the surge partly to reduced immunity resulting from COVID-19 preventive measures. Concurrently, cases of erythema infectiosum (commonly known as fifth disease or "ringo-byo") have also reached their highest levels in a decade, with increased patient numbers reported per medical institution, posing additional public health concerns. Authorities emphasize the importance of vaccination starting from two months of age to prevent whooping cough infection. The Tokyo metropolitan area reported the highest number of weekly cases at 234. The ongoing outbreak highlights the need for vigilance, especially for vulnerable populations such as infants and pregnant women.

Experts warn that ticks pose serious health risks beyond Lyme disease, including alpha-gal syndrome and tick paralysis. Alpha-gal syndrome, an allergy triggered by tick bites that can cause severe reactions to red meat, has increased from a few dozen cases in 2009 to approximately 450,000 cases currently. The spread of ticks and associated diseases is being driven by climate change, which is expanding tick habitats globally and leading to a rise in both familiar and emerging tick-borne illnesses. Specialists emphasize that ticks can be active year-round, not just in summer, and advise people to regularly check for and promptly remove ticks after outdoor activities such as hiking or gardening. Research is ongoing to better understand prevention and treatment methods for these diseases. Public health messages also focus on educating people about symptoms and protective measures to reduce the risk of tick-borne infections throughout the year.

Public-health specialists on both sides of the U.S.–Canada border say a warming climate is allowing several tick species to stay active longer and move farther north, raising the risk of infection for humans and pets year-round. Deer ticks can quest for hosts whenever temperatures climb above 39 °F, and milder winters are expanding their habitat into the Prairie provinces, the Upper Midwest and parts of New England that previously saw few encounters.

Read more

Utah has reported a rising number of measles cases, with the state's Department of Health and Human Services confirming nine cases as of early July 2025. The outbreak began with three cases in late June and increased to five cases shortly after, including two pregnant women and one minor, all unvaccinated. By the end of June, the total cases rose to seven, and by July 1, the count reached nine, predominantly affecting unvaccinated individuals concentrated in one county. This surge in Utah reflects a broader trend in the United States, where measles cases have reached the highest annual total in 33 years. Experts attribute the resurgence partly to decreased vaccination rates influenced by COVID-19 antivaccine activism, raising concerns that measles could become endemic again in the U.S. The situation underscores ongoing public health challenges related to vaccine-preventable diseases.

The Utah Department of Health and Human Services has reported a rising number of measles cases in the state, increasing from an initial single case to nine confirmed cases as of July 1, 2025. The cases include unvaccinated individuals, two pregnant women, and a minor. Public health officials have linked some of the new cases to previous infections and are advising monitoring for visitors of certain locations. Concurrently, King County in Washington has reported a total of ten measles cases this year, including a child and an adult family member.

In New Mexico, five inmates at Luna County jail have tested positive for measles. Texas is experiencing an ongoing outbreak in West Texas with 753 reported cases, including three new cases detected in the past week. Meanwhile, Mexico is facing a larger measles outbreak with 2,942 cases reported nationwide, 95% of which are concentrated in Chihuahua. In response, Mexican health authorities have extended vaccination efforts to adults up to 49 years old to contain the outbreak.

The World Health Organization said global mpox infections continued to climb in May, confirming 6,823 new cases and 16 deaths across 49 countries. The figures appear in the agency’s 54th external situation report, published 27 June, which covers data through 31 May and additional updates for Africa through 22 June.

Transmission remains concentrated in Africa, where 18 nations are experiencing ongoing outbreaks. Ethiopia and Italy confirmed their first clade Ib cases, while North Macedonia, the Republic of Congo and Togo reported their first clade IIb infections. Eleven African countries have received a total of 731,000 doses of the MVA-BN vaccine, and seven have started inoculation campaigns.

Read more

New Mexico health officials said five inmates at the Luna County Detention Center in Deming have tested positive for measles, marking the first known cluster in a state correctional facility during this year’s outbreak. The centre, which holds roughly 400 people and employs 100 staff, has quarantined the infected individuals, suspended in-person visits and shifted court hearings to virtual formats while vaccination histories are verified and additional testing kits are deployed.

The new cases raise the state’s 2025 tally to 86, according to the Department of Health. New Mexico’s outbreak began in February and has included one fatality, an unvaccinated adult who died in March. Nationally, the U.S. has recorded 1,227 measles cases so far this year across 12 states.

Officials urged residents, particularly in Luna County, to ensure they are fully immunised. Demand for the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine has surged in New Mexico, with more than 37,500 doses administered since February compared with about 19,300 in the same period last year. The two-dose regimen is 97% effective at preventing infection.

Health officials in Utah, Washington, and New Mexico have reported new measles cases, indicating an ongoing spread of the virus in multiple states. Utah's Department of Health and Human Services confirmed two new measles cases on June 24, bringing the total to three. By June 26, the total cases in Utah rose to five, including two unvaccinated pregnant women and one minor. On June 27, two additional cases were reported, increasing Utah's total to seven cases.

In King County, Washington, two new measles cases were confirmed, involving a child and an adult from the same household who were likely exposed while hosting an international traveler. This brings the total measles cases in Washington state to ten for the year. Meanwhile, New Mexico's Department of Health announced a measles outbreak at a county detention facility in Luna County, where five incarcerated individuals tested positive. This outbreak follows earlier detection of measles in a wastewater sample in the area, suggesting undiagnosed infections. Federal officials also confirmed 13 additional measles cases in New Mexico. Public health authorities in all affected areas are monitoring the situation and advising residents to take precautions, especially those who may have visited specific locations linked to the cases.

Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb has warned that Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s upcoming report on autism will attempt to link aluminum in vaccines to autism. Gottlieb cautioned that if vaccine manufacturers are compelled to remove aluminum adjuvants, many vaccines could be withdrawn from the market due to the lack of suitable alternatives. He also suggested that the report could trigger a wave of lawsuits through the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, potentially disrupting the vaccine industry.

RFK Jr. has stated that the Institute of Medicine, part of the National Academy of Sciences, acknowledged in 2001 that a link between autism and vaccines is biologically plausible, and he expects new studies to provide answers by September. Additionally, RFK Jr. alleged in an interview with Tucker Carlson that the CDC concealed an internal study indicating a 1,135% increase in autism risk associated with the hepatitis B vaccine, claiming the agency suppressed the findings by excluding older children from the data.

Former U.S. Food and Drug Administration commissioner Scott Gottlieb warned that an upcoming report on autism, expected this fall from presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., will attempt to link aluminum adjuvants in childhood vaccines to the neurodevelopmental disorder.

Gottlieb said such claims could prompt a surge of product-liability lawsuits and pressure manufacturers to withdraw multiple vaccines because “there is no good alternative” to aluminum for boosting immune response in many pediatric shots.

Public-health specialists cautioned that early calls to halt use of the combined measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine may be a first step toward broader efforts against childhood immunization, warning of higher risks of preventable disease if supplies are curtailed.

Public Health – Seattle & King County has confirmed two new measles cases involving a child and an adult from the same household. Both individuals were likely exposed to the virus after hosting an international traveler. During their infectious period, they traveled through several locations including Bellevue, Issaquah, Mercer Island, Newcastle, and Seattle. These cases bring the total number of measles cases in Washington state to ten so far this year. Health officials have advised the public to monitor for symptoms, especially those who visited specific locations linked to the cases. Additionally, King County Public Health has issued warnings about high bacteria levels at various beaches, advising people to avoid water activities to prevent illness.

On June 25, 2025, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that the United States will cease funding to Gavi, the global vaccine alliance that works to expand access to vaccines for children in some of the world's poorest countries.

Kennedy accused Gavi of ignoring vaccine safety concerns and losing public trust, though he did not provide evidence to support these claims. Gavi, co-founded by Bill Gates and closely linked to the World Health Organization, has been instrumental in vaccinating over 1 billion children and is credited with preventing approximately 18.8 million deaths worldwide. The alliance has received substantial financial support from the U.S. government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which has contributed $4.1 billion since Gavi's inception. Experts have warned that the U.S. decision to halt funding could create a major financing gap for Gavi and potentially lead to preventable deaths. The move marks a significant shift in U.S. global health policy and has drawn criticism from global health leaders who emphasize the alliance's role in reducing vaccine costs and combating infectious diseases in low-income countries.

U.S. measles infections have reached 1,288 so far this year, topping the 1,274 cases logged in 2019 and marking the highest annual total since 1992, according to data released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The milestone comes just 25 years after the virus was declared eliminated nationally in 2000.

The surge is being driven by 27 recognised outbreaks in 38 states. Texas alone accounts for roughly 750 infections, most linked to a West Texas Mennonite community where vaccination rates are low. Nationwide, 92 % of patients are either unvaccinated or have unknown vaccine status, and about 12 % have required hospital care. Health officials have confirmed three deaths—two school-aged children in Texas and an adult in New Mexico.

Read more

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. convened a newly constituted vaccine advisory committee on 25–26 June after dismissing all 17 members of the long-standing Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The seven-member panel, led by biostatistician Martin Kulldorff, opened its first session by pledging to examine the entire childhood and adolescent immunization schedule, the cumulative exposure to vaccine ingredients, and the continued use of older shots.

Read more

Former Food and Drug Administration commissioner Scott Gottlieb said an autism report that independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. plans to release this fall will claim that aluminum adjuvants used in many childhood vaccines cause autism. Gottlieb warned that the document could spur a surge of lawsuits against vaccine manufacturers through the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.

Gottlieb added that, should courts or regulators require producers to drop aluminum salts, “a lot of vaccines” might have to be withdrawn because effective substitutes are not yet commercially available. Aluminum adjuvants are included in widely used vaccines such as those for hepatitis A and B, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis and human papillomavirus, meaning any supply disruption could undermine routine immunization programs.

Kennedy, a long-time critic of vaccine safety oversight, has repeatedly questioned the use of aluminum, thimerosal and other additives. In recent television appearances he has pledged to pursue “real science” and restore public trust in health agencies, but he has not yet released the report or disclosed the evidence it will rely on.

Kenya has launched a nationwide vaccination campaign targeting over 22 million children aged 9 months to 14 years to protect against typhoid, measles, and rubella. The campaign, running from July 5 to 14, 2025, includes the introduction of the typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV) for the first time in the country. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale officially launched the integrated immunization drive at Githogoro Grounds in Westlands, Nairobi, emphasizing the government's commitment to immunization with allocated budget resources for vaccine procurement and delivery. The campaign aims to curb the burden of preventable diseases amid a surge in antimicrobial-resistant typhoid cases and targets children across all 47 counties, including specific efforts in Kilifi, Machakos, Trans Mara, Kakamega, and Makueni counties.

The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with UNICEF and supported by the World Health Organization, is providing vaccines in all immunizing facilities nationwide. Health officials have urged parents to ensure their children receive the vaccines, addressing concerns about vaccine resistance and stigma. The campaign also seeks to catch up on routine childhood vaccinations following recent nationwide shortages. Medical experts highlighted the importance of the campaign in controlling the spread of typhoid and measles, both of which pose significant health risks to children. The government has prioritized this immunization drive as part of its broader public health strategy to reduce child morbidity and mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases.

Kenya has launched a nationwide vaccination campaign targeting over 20 million children aged between 9 months and 14 years to protect against typhoid and measles-rubella. The campaign, which runs from July 5 to July 14, 2025, includes the introduction of the typhoid conjugate vaccine for the first time in the country. Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale officially inaugurated the integrated immunization drive at Githogoro Grounds in Westlands, Nairobi. The initiative aims to address the rising cases of antimicrobial-resistant typhoid and prevent outbreaks of measles and rubella.

More than 100,000 typhoid cases are reported annually in Kenya, with 18 counties affected by typhoid and measles outbreaks. The campaign also targets specific regions such as Trans Mara, where at least 76,000 children are expected to be vaccinated, and Kilifi County, where over 600,000 children will receive the vaccines. The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with UNICEF, is spearheading the effort, emphasizing the safety and importance of the vaccines amid some public resistance and stigma. The government has allocated resources in the 2025/26 budget to ensure vaccine procurement and delivery, aiming to prevent stockouts and ensure no child misses vaccination.

A man in his 50s from northern New South Wales has died after contracting Australian bat lyssavirus, the state’s health authority said on 3 July. The case is the first recorded human fatality in New South Wales and only the fourth documented infection nationwide since the virus was identified in 1996.

Health officials stated that the victim was bitten by a bat carrying the virus several months ago and received initial treatment, but his condition deteriorated this week and he died in hospital. Australian bat lyssavirus is a close relative of rabies; once symptoms such as headache, fever and fatigue appear, the disease rapidly progresses to paralysis and death. There is no effective therapy after onset.

Read more

A measles outbreak has been confirmed in a county detention facility in Luna County, New Mexico, where five inmates tested positive for the virus. The New Mexico Department of Health is investigating the situation, and federal officials have reported an additional 13 cases. The outbreak is part of a broader resurgence of measles across the Americas, with cases rising 29-fold compared to the previous year, according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). In the United States, new cases have been reported in several states including Wyoming, which recorded its first measles case in 15 years in an unvaccinated child, Kentucky experiencing its first outbreak of 2025, and Bexar County, Texas, confirming its first case amid the ongoing outbreak.

Mexico is also facing a measles outbreak with over 2,900 cases diagnosed, prompting health authorities to expand vaccination campaigns to include people aged 1 to 49 years and to vaccinate migrant workers along the northern border. Baja California has reported 40 suspected cases, and health officials continue efforts to contain the spread. The increase in measles cases highlights ongoing challenges in vaccination coverage and disease control in the region.

North American health authorities reported a new round of measles infections, underscoring the virus’s continued spread despite high overall vaccination coverage. Texas remains the U.S. epicenter with 753 confirmed cases since late January, according to the state’s Department of State Health Services. Three infections were added in the past week and officials have documented 99 hospitalisations and two pediatric deaths, nearly all among unvaccinated people.

Read more

Japan is experiencing a record surge in whooping cough (pertussis) cases, with the number of infections reaching unprecedented levels. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare reported that the weekly number of whooping cough patients hit 3,353 in early July 2025, marking the highest weekly figure since data collection began in 2018. This figure surpassed the previous peak of 3,044 cases recorded in mid-June. The cumulative number of whooping cough cases since January 2025 has exceeded 39,672, which is approximately 2.4 times higher than the previous record set in 2019 and nearly eight times the total cases reported in 2024.

The infection is particularly prevalent among children in elementary and middle schools, raising concerns about transmission to infants who are at risk of severe complications such as convulsions, respiratory arrest, pneumonia, brain inflammation, and even death. Experts attribute the surge partly to reduced immunity resulting from COVID-19 preventive measures. Concurrently, cases of erythema infectiosum (commonly known as fifth disease or "ringo-byo") have also reached their highest levels in a decade, with increased patient numbers reported per medical institution, posing additional public health concerns. Authorities emphasize the importance of vaccination starting from two months of age to prevent whooping cough infection. The Tokyo metropolitan area reported the highest number of weekly cases at 234. The ongoing outbreak highlights the need for vigilance, especially for vulnerable populations such as infants and pregnant women.

Experts warn that ticks pose serious health risks beyond Lyme disease, including alpha-gal syndrome and tick paralysis. Alpha-gal syndrome, an allergy triggered by tick bites that can cause severe reactions to red meat, has increased from a few dozen cases in 2009 to approximately 450,000 cases currently. The spread of ticks and associated diseases is being driven by climate change, which is expanding tick habitats globally and leading to a rise in both familiar and emerging tick-borne illnesses. Specialists emphasize that ticks can be active year-round, not just in summer, and advise people to regularly check for and promptly remove ticks after outdoor activities such as hiking or gardening. Research is ongoing to better understand prevention and treatment methods for these diseases. Public health messages also focus on educating people about symptoms and protective measures to reduce the risk of tick-borne infections throughout the year.

Public-health specialists on both sides of the U.S.–Canada border say a warming climate is allowing several tick species to stay active longer and move farther north, raising the risk of infection for humans and pets year-round. Deer ticks can quest for hosts whenever temperatures climb above 39 °F, and milder winters are expanding their habitat into the Prairie provinces, the Upper Midwest and parts of New England that previously saw few encounters.

Read more

Utah has reported a rising number of measles cases, with the state's Department of Health and Human Services confirming nine cases as of early July 2025. The outbreak began with three cases in late June and increased to five cases shortly after, including two pregnant women and one minor, all unvaccinated. By the end of June, the total cases rose to seven, and by July 1, the count reached nine, predominantly affecting unvaccinated individuals concentrated in one county. This surge in Utah reflects a broader trend in the United States, where measles cases have reached the highest annual total in 33 years. Experts attribute the resurgence partly to decreased vaccination rates influenced by COVID-19 antivaccine activism, raising concerns that measles could become endemic again in the U.S. The situation underscores ongoing public health challenges related to vaccine-preventable diseases.

The Utah Department of Health and Human Services has reported a rising number of measles cases in the state, increasing from an initial single case to nine confirmed cases as of July 1, 2025. The cases include unvaccinated individuals, two pregnant women, and a minor. Public health officials have linked some of the new cases to previous infections and are advising monitoring for visitors of certain locations. Concurrently, King County in Washington has reported a total of ten measles cases this year, including a child and an adult family member.

In New Mexico, five inmates at Luna County jail have tested positive for measles. Texas is experiencing an ongoing outbreak in West Texas with 753 reported cases, including three new cases detected in the past week. Meanwhile, Mexico is facing a larger measles outbreak with 2,942 cases reported nationwide, 95% of which are concentrated in Chihuahua. In response, Mexican health authorities have extended vaccination efforts to adults up to 49 years old to contain the outbreak.

The World Health Organization said global mpox infections continued to climb in May, confirming 6,823 new cases and 16 deaths across 49 countries. The figures appear in the agency’s 54th external situation report, published 27 June, which covers data through 31 May and additional updates for Africa through 22 June.

Transmission remains concentrated in Africa, where 18 nations are experiencing ongoing outbreaks. Ethiopia and Italy confirmed their first clade Ib cases, while North Macedonia, the Republic of Congo and Togo reported their first clade IIb infections. Eleven African countries have received a total of 731,000 doses of the MVA-BN vaccine, and seven have started inoculation campaigns.

Read more

New Mexico health officials said five inmates at the Luna County Detention Center in Deming have tested positive for measles, marking the first known cluster in a state correctional facility during this year’s outbreak. The centre, which holds roughly 400 people and employs 100 staff, has quarantined the infected individuals, suspended in-person visits and shifted court hearings to virtual formats while vaccination histories are verified and additional testing kits are deployed.

The new cases raise the state’s 2025 tally to 86, according to the Department of Health. New Mexico’s outbreak began in February and has included one fatality, an unvaccinated adult who died in March. Nationally, the U.S. has recorded 1,227 measles cases so far this year across 12 states.

Officials urged residents, particularly in Luna County, to ensure they are fully immunised. Demand for the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine has surged in New Mexico, with more than 37,500 doses administered since February compared with about 19,300 in the same period last year. The two-dose regimen is 97% effective at preventing infection.

Health officials in Utah, Washington, and New Mexico have reported new measles cases, indicating an ongoing spread of the virus in multiple states. Utah's Department of Health and Human Services confirmed two new measles cases on June 24, bringing the total to three. By June 26, the total cases in Utah rose to five, including two unvaccinated pregnant women and one minor. On June 27, two additional cases were reported, increasing Utah's total to seven cases.

In King County, Washington, two new measles cases were confirmed, involving a child and an adult from the same household who were likely exposed while hosting an international traveler. This brings the total measles cases in Washington state to ten for the year. Meanwhile, New Mexico's Department of Health announced a measles outbreak at a county detention facility in Luna County, where five incarcerated individuals tested positive. This outbreak follows earlier detection of measles in a wastewater sample in the area, suggesting undiagnosed infections. Federal officials also confirmed 13 additional measles cases in New Mexico. Public health authorities in all affected areas are monitoring the situation and advising residents to take precautions, especially those who may have visited specific locations linked to the cases.

Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb has warned that Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s upcoming report on autism will attempt to link aluminum in vaccines to autism. Gottlieb cautioned that if vaccine manufacturers are compelled to remove aluminum adjuvants, many vaccines could be withdrawn from the market due to the lack of suitable alternatives. He also suggested that the report could trigger a wave of lawsuits through the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, potentially disrupting the vaccine industry.

RFK Jr. has stated that the Institute of Medicine, part of the National Academy of Sciences, acknowledged in 2001 that a link between autism and vaccines is biologically plausible, and he expects new studies to provide answers by September. Additionally, RFK Jr. alleged in an interview with Tucker Carlson that the CDC concealed an internal study indicating a 1,135% increase in autism risk associated with the hepatitis B vaccine, claiming the agency suppressed the findings by excluding older children from the data.

Former U.S. Food and Drug Administration commissioner Scott Gottlieb warned that an upcoming report on autism, expected this fall from presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., will attempt to link aluminum adjuvants in childhood vaccines to the neurodevelopmental disorder.

Gottlieb said such claims could prompt a surge of product-liability lawsuits and pressure manufacturers to withdraw multiple vaccines because “there is no good alternative” to aluminum for boosting immune response in many pediatric shots.

Public-health specialists cautioned that early calls to halt use of the combined measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine may be a first step toward broader efforts against childhood immunization, warning of higher risks of preventable disease if supplies are curtailed.

Public Health – Seattle & King County has confirmed two new measles cases involving a child and an adult from the same household. Both individuals were likely exposed to the virus after hosting an international traveler. During their infectious period, they traveled through several locations including Bellevue, Issaquah, Mercer Island, Newcastle, and Seattle. These cases bring the total number of measles cases in Washington state to ten so far this year. Health officials have advised the public to monitor for symptoms, especially those who visited specific locations linked to the cases. Additionally, King County Public Health has issued warnings about high bacteria levels at various beaches, advising people to avoid water activities to prevent illness.

On June 25, 2025, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that the United States will cease funding to Gavi, the global vaccine alliance that works to expand access to vaccines for children in some of the world's poorest countries.

Kennedy accused Gavi of ignoring vaccine safety concerns and losing public trust, though he did not provide evidence to support these claims. Gavi, co-founded by Bill Gates and closely linked to the World Health Organization, has been instrumental in vaccinating over 1 billion children and is credited with preventing approximately 18.8 million deaths worldwide. The alliance has received substantial financial support from the U.S. government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which has contributed $4.1 billion since Gavi's inception. Experts have warned that the U.S. decision to halt funding could create a major financing gap for Gavi and potentially lead to preventable deaths. The move marks a significant shift in U.S. global health policy and has drawn criticism from global health leaders who emphasize the alliance's role in reducing vaccine costs and combating infectious diseases in low-income countries.