Recent outbreaks of measles in the United States are driving up case counts and elevating alarm amongst public health experts, particularly as vaccination charges amongst youngsters lag.
US cases surged to a record high in 2025, and three folks died — the first reported measles deaths in the United States since 2015. Measles continues to unfold quickly in 2026, with extra cases reported in the first month than is typical for a full 12 months.
NCS is monitoring these cases and updating this web page every week as new nationwide knowledge is launched by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A big outbreak in West Texas accounted for not less than a 3rd of all nationwide cases in 2025, with a number of states reporting cases with hyperlinks again to Texas. State officers declared that outbreak over in mid-August, however different outbreaks proceed to develop. In South Carolina, an outbreak that began in the upstate area in October 2025, is now the largest US measles outbreak in a long time.
National knowledge compiled by the CDC lags behind experiences collected by state well being companies. Here’s the newest nationwide snapshot of which states have reported cases in 2026 to this point.
Measles is a extremely contagious airborne illness. It could cause critical well being penalties or loss of life, especially for young and unvaccinated youngsters. Most of the cases contain folks youthful than age 20.
General signs might embody fever, cough, runny nostril, watery eyes and a rash of pink spots. About 1 in 5 unvaccinated folks in the United States who get measles shall be hospitalized, based on the CDC.
About 1 in each 20 youngsters will develop pneumonia, and others might develop a harmful swelling in the mind referred to as encephalitis. Up to three of each 1,000 youngsters who turn into contaminated with measles might die from respiratory and neurologic issues.
Measles is preventable, because of a extremely efficient vaccine. Experts suggest that youngsters get the measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, vaccine in two doses: the first between 12 months and 15 months of age, and a second between 4 and 6 years outdated. One dose is about 93% efficient at stopping measles an infection; two doses are about 97% efficient.
The overwhelming majority of measles cases in the US are amongst unvaccinated folks.
Measles was eradicated in the United States in 2000. Imported cases are anticipated, however when vaccination charges are excessive, the danger for unfold stays low and outbreaks are uncommon. Outbreaks in 2019, notably two in underimmunized Orthodox Jewish communities in New York, threatened US measles elimination standing.
Ongoing outbreaks in a number of components of the United States threaten the nation’s measles elimination standing once more, and the Pan American Health Organization may determine to revoke that status when it meets in April.
“If a measles outbreak continues for a year or more, the United States could lose its measles elimination status,” based on the CDC.
Because measles is so contagious, a excessive stage of vaccination protection is essential to minimizing unfold. The United States has set a goal vaccination price of 95%, however protection amongst kindergarteners has dipped beneath that in current years.
MMR vaccine collection completion amongst kindergarteners decreased from 95.2% throughout the 2019–2020 faculty 12 months to 92.5% in the 2024–2025 faculty 12 months, leaving about 286,000 in danger, according to the CDC.
Coverage varies extensively by state.