As measles outbreaks grow in the U.S., maps and charts show a record number of cases

Key Points:

• In 2026, the U.S. has recorded the highest number of measles cases in over 30 years, with outbreaks spreading across multiple states and surpassing the total cases of 2025 by mid-July.
• The ongoing outbreaks threaten the U.S.'s official measles elimination status, which it has maintained since 2000, highlighting the contagious nature of the disease and its severe health risks.
• Most measles cases occur among unvaccinated individuals, with declining vaccination rates contributing to the resurgence; recent data shows a drop in measles vaccination coverage among kindergartners from 95.2% in 2019-2020 to 92.7% in 2023-2024.
• Health experts emphasize the importance of maintaining vaccination rates above 95% to ensure community immunity and prevent outbreaks, urging parents to vaccinate their children against measles and other preventable diseases.
• A significant outbreak in West Texas in 2025 resulted in over 750 cases and the deaths of two children, underscoring the serious consequences of measles outbreaks in under-vaccinated communities.