Federal health officials report that measles infections have surpassed twice the total recorded in 2025, with 43 new outbreaks, hundreds of hospitalizations and the largest concentration of cases in Pennsylvania.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
The United States has recorded 4,588 confirmed measles cases in 2026, more than double the number reported throughout 2025, as outbreaks continue spreading across the country and Pennsylvania accounts for nearly 30% of all infections, according to newly released federal and state health data.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday, Oct. 23, that the national total had increased by 178 cases during the preceding week. The figures reflect infections confirmed through Thursday, Oct. 22, compared with 2,289 cases during all of 2025.
The infections have been reported across 47 jurisdictions, including Washington, D.C., and New York City, with 43 new outbreaks identified this year.
Approximately 96% of confirmed cases were associated with outbreaks, defined by the CDC as three or more epidemiologically linked infections.
The agency’s data also show that 96% of patients were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status, underscoring the concentration of infections among people without documented immunization protection.
Children and teenagers account for a substantial share of cases. Nearly six in 10 patients were younger than 20, including 1,914 children and adolescents ages 5 to 19, representing approximately 42% of the national total.
Adults ages 20 and older accounted for 1,881 cases, or roughly 41%.
Measles-related hospitalizations have reached 479 nationwide, according to Reuters’ Oct. 23 report, representing approximately 10% of reported infections.
Pennsylvania has experienced the country’s largest outbreak, with the state Department of Health announcing Friday that 1,338 cases had been confirmed across 44 counties.
The state’s latest total includes 21 infections identified since Oct. 21, bringing the number of hospitalizations to 255.
Pennsylvania health officials have also reported five measles-associated deaths during 2026. The CDC has confirmed three deaths nationally, reflecting differences in reporting schedules and the review of death classifications.
Only four of Pennsylvania’s confirmed cases involved vaccinated individuals, according to state health officials, representing less than 1% of the outbreak total.
State authorities said approximately 300 Department of Health employees are participating in the response, including case investigations, community outreach and vaccination programs.
Since the outbreak began in late April, state health center employees have administered more than 6,500 measles, mumps and rubella vaccine doses at 226 temporary vaccination clinics.
Including additional vaccinations administered through state health centers, public health nurses have provided more than 10,300 MMR doses throughout Pennsylvania in 2026.
Other states are also experiencing elevated measles activity, including South Carolina, Utah, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Texas, Virginia and Ohio.
CDC data identify South Carolina and Utah among the states with the highest case counts after Pennsylvania, reflecting the widespread nature of the current outbreaks.
Measles is a highly contagious viral infection transmitted through airborne respiratory particles. The virus can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an enclosed area.
Symptoms typically begin with fever, cough, runny nose and red eyes, followed by a characteristic rash.
Although many patients recover, complications can include pneumonia, dehydration, brain inflammation and, in severe cases, death.
Young children, pregnant women and individuals with weakened immune systems face increased risks of serious illness.
Two doses of the MMR vaccine are approximately 97% effective at preventing measles, while one dose provides approximately 93% protection, according to the CDC.
The vaccine is routinely recommended for children, with the first dose generally administered between 12 and 15 months of age and the second between ages 4 and 6.
Health officials may recommend an earlier dose for certain infants traveling internationally or living in communities experiencing outbreaks.
Measles was declared eliminated from the United States in 2000, meaning the country had interrupted continuous domestic transmission for at least 12 months.
However, imported infections and subsequent outbreaks have continued to occur.
The CDC has identified declining immunization coverage and increasing international measles activity as factors contributing to the current resurgence.
Despite the historic elimination designation, measles can return through international travel and spread rapidly when introduced into groups with insufficient immunity.
The agency cautions that national figures may lag behind state reporting because local health departments conduct investigations and submit confirmed cases on different schedules.
The latest nationwide total therefore may not capture every infection identified by state officials as of Friday.
With more than two months remaining in 2026, the number of confirmed measles cases has already exceeded twice the previous year’s total, while Pennsylvania’s continuing outbreak accounts for a substantial portion of the nationwide increase.
Federal and state health agencies are urging residents to review their vaccination records and follow local public health guidance as investigations and efforts to control transmission continue.
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