Key facts
- The US has recorded 2,318 measles cases in 2026, surpassing the 2025 total.
- This is the highest number of measles cases since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000 and the worst year since 1991.
- Declining vaccination rates, falling below the 95% threshold for herd immunity, are a primary driver of the resurgence.
- Major outbreaks have occurred in Texas, South Carolina, Utah, and Arizona.
- International health officials will review the US and Mexico's measles-free status in November.
The United States has surpassed its 2025 record for measles infections, reaching the highest case count since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000. Figures released by the CDC show 2,318 cases in 2026, with five months remaining in the year. This milestone makes 2026 the worst year for measles in the U.S. since 1991, driven by significant outbreaks in Texas, South Carolina, Utah, and Arizona, alongside smaller clusters in other states.
Health officials are concerned that the U.S. may be entering a period where measles becomes a regularly circulating disease. The decline in vaccination rates, falling below the 95% level considered necessary for herd immunity, is a primary driver of the resurgence. The U.S. achieved elimination in 2000 through high vaccination coverage, but this has eroded in recent years.
International health officials are set to meet in November to determine if the U.S. and Mexico should lose their measles-free status. Experts emphasize that reversing the trend requires a nationwide effort to increase vaccination rates, an undertaking that appears unlikely given the current administration's stance on immunizations. The American Academy of Pediatrics has labeled the situation an "avoidable crisis" that disproportionately affects children, highlighting hospitalizations, missed school days, and parental work disruptions.
The surge in measles cases occurs amid broader public health challenges in the U.S., including hantavirus, screwworm, Ebola, and bird flu. This situation has raised concerns about the nation's capacity to manage infectious disease outbreaks, particularly following reported cuts to staffing and funding for preventive programs. Former CDC officials have expressed that the dismantling of the public health system has weakened the country's preparedness compared to the pre-Covid pandemic era.