U.S. Measles Cases Top 5,000 Mark for First Time Since 1991 Amid Nationwide Spread

The United States has recorded 5,182 measles cases so far this year, the highest annual tally in 35 years according to CDC data, reflecting a nationwide outbreak.

Approximately 96 percent of the infections occurred in individuals who were unvaccinated or whose immunization status was unknown, CDC data indicate for 2026.

Pennsylvania leads the outbreak, reporting 1,487 cases and 287 hospitalizations as of Friday, along with its sixth measles‑related death this week, according to the state health department.

Wisconsin reported an infant death on Thursday, and New York recorded its first measles‑related fatality in over three decades earlier this week.

The CDC’s Thursday update shows that South Carolina and Utah reported the next highest case counts, with 670 and 536 cases respectively.

Nevertheless, the CDC has documented only four measles‑related deaths in 2026 and has not disclosed the locations of these fatalities. In 2025, the agency reported three such deaths.

The discrepancy emerged when the CDC, led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., changed its methodology to use National Center for Health Statistics mortality data instead of state health department reports for tracking measles deaths.

Nationwide, measles‑related hospitalizations reached 562 this year, representing roughly 11 percent of all reported cases, the CDC said.

Adults 20 and older accounted for 2,132 cases this year, followed by 2,104 cases among children and adolescents aged 5‑19 and 908 cases in children under 5. The CDC reported 43 new outbreaks this year.

The Pan American Health Organization’s expert commission is set to assess next week whether the United States still qualifies for measles‑elimination status, which the country has maintained since 2000.

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