What the latest numbers show
As of September 3, 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports 3,134 confirmed measles cases in the United States for 2026. Of these, 3,118 cases were reported by 47 jurisdictions, with 16 cases among international visitors to the U.S. A total of 38 outbreaks have been documented in 2026, and 2,969 of the 3,134 confirmed cases (about 95%) are outbreak-associated. The breakdown shows 1,594 outbreaks that began in 2026 and 1,375 that began in 2025.
Separately, Johns Hopkins University’s Measles Tracker tallies 3,231 cases for the same date, reflecting different data sources and inclusion criteria. The CDC figure represents officially notified, confirmed cases, while the tracker may incorporate additional data from state reports and news releases. These discrepancies are common when data are collected at different paces across jurisdictions and projects track cases with varying definitions and cutoffs. Either way, the trend is clear: sustained transmission and large outbreaks are shaping the 2026 outbreak landscape.
For context, the 2025 calendar year recorded 2,289 confirmed measles cases in the United States, reported by 45 jurisdictions, with 16 outbreaks. Of those 2,289 cases, 2,066 (about 90%) were outbreak-associated. The year 2024 saw 285 cases, with 16 outbreaks and 69% of cases linked to outbreaks. These figures illustrate a shift toward higher case counts and more outbreaks in recent years, underscoring the ongoing public health challenge.
Geographic hotspots and notable outbreaks shaping the year
Geographic spread in 2026 has included several significant pockets. The West Texas outbreak, which began in early 2025, contributed substantially to the national case burden, highlighting how outbreaks can seed onward transmission in nearby regions. An outbreak that started along the Utah–Arizona border in October 2025 drew attention for its transmission dynamics and hospitalizations, offering a regional snapshot that informed broader response efforts.
South Carolina emerged as a major early 2026 epicenter. NBC News reported a disease surge there at the start of the year, with CDC-confirmed counts exceeding 600 cases, and state officials subsequently declaring the outbreak over in April. CIDRAP/UMN cited a larger figure—nearly 1,000 confirmed cases in South Carolina—through the spring season. This variability across sources reflects reporting timelines and the evolving nature of outbreak investigations, but both accounts confirm South Carolina as a central driver of the national outbreak early in 2026.
In addition to these regional stories, Pennsylvania has seen renewed activity in 2026, with hundreds of new measles cases reported since July. The evolving picture across these states illustrates how outbreaks can shift from one area to another and why ongoing surveillance remains essential.
Public-health significance and the elimination status question
Measles elimination means there is no ongoing community transmission of the disease in the United States. The United States achieved elimination in 2000, thanks to widespread vaccination with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Yet elimination status depends on sustained interruption of transmission, typically defined as no continuous transmission for 12 consecutive months. Recent sustained transmission in the United States has raised concerns about losing elimination status, a shift that public health authorities are actively monitoring and managing through vaccination campaigns and rapid outbreak response.
The sustained transmission and recurring outbreaks complicate the elimination status, making vaccination efforts more urgent. The Pan American Health Organization and other public-health bodies have noted that continued transmission challenges the elimination goal, reinforcing the need for high vaccination coverage and rapid containment measures. While 2026 data show significant transmission, readers should understand that elimination status is a status indicator tied to transmission dynamics over time, not a single year’s tally.
Keeping vaccination coverage high remains the most reliable barrier to future outbreaks. The CDC highlights that high community vaccination not only protects individuals but also protects those who cannot be vaccinated, such as infants and people with certain medical conditions.
Hospitalizations, mortality, and what they reveal
National hospitalization data for 2026 are still being finalized by the CDC, and the 2026 calendar year table is not yet fully published. What can be said with current information is that hospitalization patterns vary by age group and outbreak context. For example, in a substantial Utah outbreak, approximately 8% of patients were hospitalized among those currently affected, with most hospitalized patients being unvaccinated. Of the five hospitalized patients who had received at least one dose of the vaccine, three had severe immunocompromising conditions. Across that same outbreak, intravenous fluids were required in about three-quarters of hospitalized patients, more than 60% needed supplemental oxygen, and about 29% developed measles pneumonia; there were no reported cases of measles encephalitis in that dataset.
By contrast, the broader national numbers reflect a mix of reports from different jurisdictions. The United States has seen deaths in 2025 and 2026, though the federal tally for 2026 through early September shows no deaths recorded by NCHS to date. State health departments have reported deaths—most notably two deaths in Pennsylvania in 2026—indicating a lag between state reports and federal death records. In 2025, three deaths were reported nationally, including two children in the large West Texas outbreak. These figures illustrate how reporting timelines differ between state and federal systems and why readers should expect updates as investigations conclude.
Vaccination coverage, breakthrough infections, and what that means for spread
The MMR vaccination series remains the core defense against measles. Two doses of MMR are about 97% effective at preventing measles, while one dose is about 93% effective. Breakthrough infections—measles infections in people who have been vaccinated—do occur, particularly in outbreak settings with high circulating virus. The number of breakthrough infections in the current period aligns with what has been observed in previous years, roughly 10% of all measles infections. National and local vaccination coverage figures show that when community immunization falls below 95%—the level needed for herd immunity—outbreak risk increases. In kindergarteners, MMR coverage has declined from 95.2% in 2019–2020 to 92.4% in 2025–2026, leaving roughly 280,000 kindergartners vulnerable during the 2025–2026 school year.
Public health data emphasize that at local levels, vaccination rates can vary substantially. Even highly vaccinated populations may contain pockets of unvaccinated people, where measles can spread rapidly if the virus is introduced. This reality underscores the need for targeted outreach and vaccination campaigns in communities with lower coverage.
In addition, CDC modeling efforts are underway to simulate how outbreaks could unfold and to help health departments identify communities at highest risk and allocate resources effectively. These models contribute to proactive planning and can inform both local clinic readiness and statewide vaccination strategies.
Data transparency, source differences, and how to interpret counts
Different reputable sources may present slightly different totals due to timing, data collection cutoffs, and inclusion criteria. For example, the CDC reports 3,134 confirmed measles cases in 2026 as of early September, while the Johns Hopkins tracker lists 3,231 cases on the same date. The CDC figure reflects confirmed cases notified to CDC, whereas the tracker may incorporate additional cases from state reports and media sources. Readers should view these figures as complementary snapshots of a rapidly changing situation, recognizing that updates can occur as jurisdictional investigations conclude.
In the same vein, mortality data may lag behind case counts. While CDC records may show no deaths yet for 2026, state health departments have reported deaths in specific states (for example, two in Pennsylvania in 2026), underscoring the importance of watching both federal and state updates. When discussing outbreaks and mortality, it’s helpful to note the timing of reports and the ongoing nature of investigations.
For readers seeking the most detailed, interactive data, the Johns Hopkins U.S. Measles Tracker offers county-level mapping and real-time updates, while the CDC page provides official case counts, hospitalization status, and demographic information. Cross-referencing these sources yields a fuller picture while acknowledging potential variances in timing and scope.
Public health recommendations
Protection against measles hinges on vaccination status and rapid responses when exposure occurs. If you’re planning travel or living in an area affected by an outbreak, verify your vaccination records and ensure you are up to date with two MMR doses for optimal protection. If you’re planning to travel or move through outbreak areas, discuss vaccination with your healthcare provider well ahead of travel dates, especially if you or your children have not completed the two-dose MMR series.
If you suspect exposure, post-exposure vaccination can still be effective within a short window. Specifically, talk with a healthcare provider or local health department about post-exposure prophylaxis within 72 hours of exposure. In households and close-contact settings, ensure household members are vaccinated and consider temporary measures to reduce exposure, such as avoiding gatherings in affected areas during peak transmission periods.
If you work in healthcare or run a clinic, prepare rapid response protocols to identify and vaccinate susceptible patients quickly, maintain stockpiles of MMR vaccine where permitted, and coordinate with local health departments to track exposures and immunization status. Public health authorities emphasize vaccination as the most effective tool to prevent outbreaks and protect vulnerable populations, including infants who cannot receive the vaccine before 12 months of age.
Practical resources
For interactive, county-level data and real-time updates, consult the Johns Hopkins U.S. Measles Tracker. It provides weekly updates, maps by county, vaccination status breakdowns, and age distributions to help communities assess risk and plan responses. You can access it through the Johns Hopkins/IVAC page dedicated to the measles tracker, or via major public-health reporting channels that reference the tracker in their outbreak coverage. Official case counts and related data are also published by the CDC on its measles outbreak pages, including yearly totals, hospitalization figures, and demographic breakdowns.
Travelers and healthcare providers can benefit from the CDC’s travel-focused guidance, which encourages vaccination prior to travel and consultation with a healthcare provider about vaccination status, particularly for those planning travel to areas with active measles transmission. In addition, Direct Relief and related public-health organizations emphasize clinic preparedness, rapid response, and community outreach as essential components of outbreak response.
Key reference links: the CDC’s measles outbreak pages (for official counts and guidance) and the Johns Hopkins U.S. Measles Tracker (for interactive maps and county-level data).
For readers who want practical context on model-based outbreak forecasting, public-health modeling discussions describe how agencies use simulations to identify high-risk communities and optimize resources during outbreaks.
What to watch next
Expect updates as jurisdictions submit new data, and anticipate revisions to case counts and mortality figures as investigations conclude. The public health landscape remains influenced by vaccination coverage gaps in specific communities, the timing of outbreak clusters, and evolving travel patterns that can introduce measles into new populations. Staying informed through official CDC updates and trusted trackers will help readers interpret the trajectory of the 2026 outbreak and understand the implications for elimination status and vaccination strategy.
Notes on data and reporting
Data presented here reflect confirmed measles cases reported to CDC up to the stated dates, with additional data drawn from the Johns Hopkins Measles Tracker as of the same period. Given ongoing investigations, counts may be revised. Death data, in particular, may lag behind case reporting, leading to temporary discrepancies between federal and state tallies. Readers are encouraged to consult both CDC and state health department communications for the latest, most complete information.