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Measles cases surpass 5,000. See largest outbreaks, death toll
USA Today • • health
Key Points:
- Measles cases in the United States have surged to over 5,000 in 2026, more than doubling last year's total and reaching a three-decade high, with Pennsylvania now the epicenter of the largest outbreak.
- Multiple measles-related deaths have been reported, including six in Pennsylvania, the first in New York in 30 years, and Wisconsin's first infant death since 1990, highlighting the severity of the outbreaks.
- The majority of infections (96%) are among unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status, with hospitalizations accounting for 11% of cases.
- The World Health Organization is set to review the U.S. measles elimination status on November 10, amid concerns the country may lose this designation due to ongoing outbreaks and falling vaccination rates.
- The resurgence follows a trend of declining vaccination influenced by anti-vaccine rhetoric and policy changes, with the U.S. previously maintaining measles elimination status since 2000 until recent outbreaks began reversing progress.
