US Measles Cases Already Exceed 2025 Total in 2026

Confirmed measles cases in the United States have reached 2,318 as of July 23, 2026, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This figure already surpasses the 2,289 confirmed cases reported for the entirety of 2025, marking a second consecutive year of record-breaking numbers. The current total represents a 35-year high, with the last time the U.S. experienced a higher annual case count being 1991, when 9,643 cases were reported. With more than five months left in 2026, health officials anticipate the numbers will continue to rise.

Of the 2,318 confirmed cases, 2,302 have been reported across 45 U.S. jurisdictions, while the remaining 16 cases involve international visitors. A significant majority, 93%, of the cases this year are among individuals who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown. Measles outbreaks have been particularly concentrated in certain states. South Carolina has reported the highest number of infections with 670 confirmed cases, followed by Utah with 522 cases. Arizona, Florida, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia have each documented over 100 cases.

Measles is a highly contagious viral illness characterized by symptoms such as high fever, cough, runny nose, and a distinctive skin rash. The virus spreads through airborne droplets expelled when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, and these droplets can remain infectious in the air for up to two hours. According to the Mayo Clinic, transmission occurs through inhaling these droplets or by touching a contaminated surface and then touching one's mouth, nose, or eyes.

Outbreaks of measles are considered highly preventable through vaccination. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is a safe and effective immunization. The CDC indicates that two doses of the MMR vaccine provide approximately 97% effectiveness in preventing measles, while a single dose offers about 93% protection. The CDC's recommended vaccination schedule includes the first dose for children between 12 and 15 months of age, and a second dose between ages 4 and 6. The resurgence of measles cases underscores the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to achieve herd immunity and prevent widespread outbreaks.