TL/DR –
In 2026, the US is on track to reach a high number of measles cases, with 3,886 infections reported so far. Pennsylvania is the nation’s hotspot with over 100 new cases in the last week, most of them involving adults. The CDC has confirmed just two measles-related deaths this year, while Pennsylvania has confirmed a fifth such death; over 99% of the cases in Pennsylvania involve unvaccinated or undervaccinated individuals.
US Nearing 4,000 Measles Cases in 2026
The US is on the brink of recording 4,000 measles cases, with 3,886 currently logged for 2026, marking a drastic increase from just a couple of years ago as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The country could exceed this milestone next week, potentially doubling the total cases recorded in 2025.
This surge is largely driven by Pennsylvania, the nation’s hot spot, which accounted for over 100 new cases this week alone. Notably, adults comprise over two-thirds of the state’s case count.
Measles-Related Deaths in 2026
The CDC reports only two measles-related deaths so far, without specifying their locations. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania confirmed a fifth death linked to measles. Critics question the CDC’s reliance on the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) to verify measles deaths as they argue it adds confusion and causes delays, notably seen in the case of Pennsylvania.
This rise marks the eighth consecutive week of triple-digit increases in measles cases, with an additional 42 outbreaks noted by the CDC compared to last week. The total cases for 2025 were 2,289, a record high since 1991 until the 2026 figures surpassed it in July. Of the 2026 cases, 18% involve children under 5, and 61% are children and teens. Alarmingly, 95% of all patients are either unvaccinated or their vaccination status is unknown.
Unprecedented Measles Outbreak in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s Department of Health reported an additional 34 new infections over the last two days, with the state’s 2026 total reaching 977, the highest in the country. The vast majority of these cases involve unvaccinated or undervaccinated individuals, with adults making up 69% of the infected.
The state health department emphasizes the importance of the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccination, which provides approximately 97% lifetime protection against the disease when administered in two doses.
Increasing measles cases are also reported in other states like Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Ohio. Meanwhile, South Carolina’s outbreak, which accounted for 997 cases in 2025 and 2026, was declared over on April 27.
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