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US measles cases surpass 4,500, more than double last year's total

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FOX Local
Health
Published October 26, 2026 12:17 PM EDT
Published October 26, 2026 12:17 PM EDT
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FILE-In this photo illustration a one dose bottle of measles, mumps and rubella virus vaccine, made by MERCK, is held up at the Salt Lake County Health Department in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo Illustration by George Frey/Getty Images)

The Brief

    • New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that there are 4,588 reported measles cases across the country in 2026.
    • This year, measles cases were reported in over 40 states.
    • CDC officials say measles is a highly contagious virus that can survive in the air for roughly two hours.

The United States is experiencing a resurgence in measles cases in 2026, with federal health data revealing that infections are increasing in certain areas of the country.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officials released new data showing that there have been 4,588 confirmed measles cases in 2026 nationwide as of Oct. 22, 2026, which is more than double the total number of cases in 2025. 

Measles cases reported in 47 states

By the numbers:

In 2026, there have been 43 new outbreaks and 96% of confirmed cases are "outbreak-associated" (3,020 from outbreaks starting in 2026 and 1,384 from outbreaks that started in 2025).

RELATED: Pennsylvania measles outbreak passes 1,000 cases in worst year for US since 1991

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that approximately 4,570 measles cases were reported in 47 states:

  1. Alabama
  2. Alaska
  3. Arizona
  4. California
  5. Colorado
  6. Connecticut
  7. Delaware
  8. Washington, D.C.
  9. Florida
  10. Georgia
  11. Idaho
  12. Illinois
  13. Indiana
  14. Iowa
  15. Kansas
  16. Kentucky
  17. Louisiana
  18. Maine
  19. Maryland
  20. Massachusetts
  21. Michigan
  22. Minnesota
  23. Missouri
  24. Montana
  25. Nebraska
  26. New Jersey
  27. New Mexico
  28. New York City
  29. New York State
  30. North Carolina
  31. North Dakota
  32. Ohio
  33. Oklahoma
  34. Oregon
  35. Pennsylvania
  36. Rhode Island
  37. South Carolina
  38. South Dakota
  39. Tennessee
  40. Texas
  41. Utah
  42. Vermont
  43. Virginia
  44. Washington
  45. West Virginia
  46. Wisconsin
  47. Wyoming

Additionally, the federal agency reported 18 measles cases among international visitors to the United States.

What is measles?

Why you should care:

Measles is a highly contagious virus that can survive in the air for up to two hours. Roughly 9 out of 10 susceptible people will get the virus if exposed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Before the vaccine was introduced in 1963, the U.S. saw some 3 million to 4 million cases per year. Now, it’s usually fewer than 200 in a normal year. It is preventable through vaccines and has been considered eliminated from the U.S. since 2000.

How can I protect myself from measles?

What you can do: The CDC explained that the best way to protect yourself against measles is with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Talk to your healthcare provider about vaccination, especially if you’re planning to travel.

The Source: Information for this story was provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and previous FOX Local reporting. This story was reported from Washington, D.C. 


 

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