The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported on Friday that 2,566 confirmed cases of measles have occurred in the United States so far in 2026. This figure marks the highest annual total for the country in more than 35 years.
The current caseload represents the most significant number of infections since a period of resurgence between 1989 and 1991. During that three-year span, the U.S. recorded more than 55,000 infections and 123 deaths. The disease was officially declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000.
According to the CDC, 93% of the cases this year involved individuals who were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status. The remaining 7% of infected individuals had received one or two doses of the vaccine. Data shows a steady decline in MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) immunization rates for children since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cases have been documented in 45 states, New York City, and the District of Columbia. While total infections have increased, the CDC reported 38 distinct outbreaks so far in 2026, which is lower than the 48 outbreaks recorded in 2025. Hospitalizations this year stand at 169 with zero deaths, compared to 243 hospitalizations and three deaths in 2025.
The scale of the current situation is the largest in over three decades. While the zero deaths reported this year contrast with the 123 deaths seen during the 1989-1991 resurgence, the presence of nearly 1,000 cases in a single South Carolina outbreak demonstrates how rapidly the disease can spread in localized settings. Parents and school administrators may notice increased absenteeism and mandatory quarantine periods during localized outbreaks, as measles is classified by health officials as highly contagious.
The rise in cases may influence future public health policy regarding school vaccination requirements and state-level immunization outreach. The CDC data indicates that despite the 2000 declaration of measles elimination, localized clusters and high infection counts persist when immunization rates fall. Monitoring of the 38 active outbreaks continues, with no specific end dates reported for the ongoing surge. Health officials have not yet provided a deadline for final 2026 tally reports, though the agency updates these figures periodically.