US Measles Cases Pass 2,465 in 2026, Highest in 35 Years – Elimination Status Under Review

The United States is facing its worst measles year in more than three decades. According to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2,465 confirmed measles cases have been reported nationwide in 2026 — already surpassing the 2,289 cases recorded for all of 2025, and the highest annual total since 1991.

The surge comes as a federal panel prepares to review whether the country can keep its official measles elimination status, a designation the U.S. has held since 2000. The decision, expected later this year, could mark a historic public health reversal.

What the Latest CDC Data Shows

In its weekly update published August 7, 2026, the CDC confirmed 94 new measles infections — most of them in Pennsylvania — pushing the 2026 total to 2,465. Key details from the report include:

• 47 jurisdictions have reported cases, spanning 44 states plus the District of Columbia.
• 38 new outbreaks have been recorded in 2026, defined as clusters of three or more related cases.
• 94% of cases (2,309 of 2,465) are linked to outbreaks, with 1,373 of those tied to outbreaks that began in 2025.
• 16 cases involved international visitors, underscoring the role of global travel in spreading the virus.
• 20% of patients are children under 5, and 68% are children and young adults up to age 19.
• 7% of patients have required hospitalization so far this year.
• 93% of cases are in people who are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status.
• No measles deaths have been reported in 2026; last year, three people — including two children — died from the disease.

For comparison, the full year 2025 saw 2,289 cases and 48 outbreaks, while 2024 recorded just 285 cases and 16 outbreaks. The scale of the current surge is a stark reminder of how quickly measles can return when vaccination coverage slips.

Elimination Status on the Line

The United States was declared free of sustained measles transmission in 2000, a milestone achieved through widespread use of the safe and highly effective measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. That status is now in jeopardy.

This month, the CDC committee responsible for verifying measles elimination will review national data and forward its findings to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Regional Verification Commission, the regional arm of the World Health Organization. PAHO is expected to announce in November whether the U.S. has lost its elimination status.

One of the most concerning signals is Utah’s outbreak, which has persisted for more than 12 months — the main criterion for losing elimination status. Utah has recorded 516 cases this year, compared with 157 in all of 2025. Noel Brewster, PhD, who chairs the CDC verification committee, described the national data as “a runaway train,” noting that the U.S., Canada, and Mexico all clearly have measles problems.

Losing elimination status would be a consequential reversal — evidence, experts say, that the systems and protections that once kept measles at bay no longer do.

Why Vaccination Coverage Matters

Measles is one of the most contagious viruses known. A single infected person can spread it to up to 9 out of 10 susceptible close contacts, and the virus can remain airborne for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a room.

The MMR vaccine is the cornerstone of prevention. Two doses are about 97% effective at preventing measles, and immunity is long-lasting. Community protection — herd immunity — requires vaccination coverage above roughly 95%.

Yet national MMR coverage among kindergarteners has slipped from 95.2% in the 2019–2020 school year to 92.5% in 2024–2025, leaving an estimated 286,000 kindergartners unprotected in the most recent school year. In some communities, coverage is far lower, creating pockets where outbreaks can ignite and spread.

Where Outbreaks Are Concentrated

While cases have been reported across most of the country, several states are experiencing particularly active transmission:

• Pennsylvania: 226 cases this year, including 57 added in the most recent week.
• Utah: 516 cases — the longest-running outbreak in the country.
• Virginia: 177 cases, though officials reported no new cases for the fourth straight week.
• Arizona: 121 cases, with many recent infections in Maricopa County.
• Ohio: 45 cases across 10 counties, with new clusters emerging in Wayne and Trumbull counties.

The CDC has warned state and local health departments that more cases are likely with summer travel, as domestic and international movement increases and unvaccinated people gather in close quarters.

What You Can Do

• Check your vaccination status. If you were born after 1957 and are unsure whether you received two MMR doses, ask your doctor about testing or a booster.
• Vaccinate children on schedule. The first MMR dose is recommended at 12–15 months, with a second dose at 4–6 years.
• Protect infants and high-risk people. Babies under 12 months, pregnant women, and people with weakened immune systems cannot always be vaccinated — they rely on those around them being immunized.
• Watch for symptoms. Measles starts with fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, followed by a distinctive rash that spreads from the face downward.
• Call ahead if exposed. If you suspect measles, contact your healthcare provider by phone before visiting a clinic to avoid exposing others.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many measles cases are there in the U.S. in 2026?

As of August 6, 2026, the CDC has confirmed 2,465 measles cases — the highest annual total since 1991 and already more than all of 2025.

What does “elimination status” mean?

Elimination means a country has stopped sustained domestic transmission of measles for at least 12 months. The U.S. achieved this in 2000, but ongoing outbreaks — especially Utah’s, which has lasted more than a year — put that status at risk.

Is the measles vaccine effective?

Yes. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are about 97% effective at preventing measles, and protection lasts for decades. Most people infected in the current outbreaks are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status.

How does measles spread?

Measles spreads through coughing, sneezing, and even breathing. The virus can live in the air for up to two hours, making it highly contagious in schools, clinics, and crowded indoor spaces.

When should children get the MMR vaccine?

The CDC recommends the first MMR dose at 12–15 months and the second at 4–6 years. Adults without documented immunity should also be vaccinated, especially before international travel.

Bottom Line

This year’s measles surge is a loud warning that vaccine-preventable diseases do not stay away on their own. With elimination status on the line and summer travel expected to spread the virus further, public health officials are urging families to make sure their vaccinations are up to date. The good news: measles is preventable, and the tools to stop it are safe, effective, and widely available.