There have been 5,182 confirmed cases of measles in the United States in 2026, with 330 new cases being added to the list this week alone for the 13th consecutive week of triple-digit jumps, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fifty-nine per cent of all cases occur in children and teens, while 96% of individuals affected were either unvaccinated or unsure about their vaccination status.
Eleven per cent of those affected have been hospitalised so far. There have been no cases of measles in just five states - Arkansas, Hawaii, Mississippi, Nevada, and New Hampshire - this year.
The US will officially lose its measles-free status, achieved in 2000, when a Pan American Health Organization commission meets next week in Washington. This step is largely symbolic, as most experts consider measles endemic in the US now.
The most deadly week for measles-related deaths this year was recorded with cases reported in New York and Wisconsin; both states haven't experienced any measles-related deaths since the 1990s. While Pennsylvania is still a hot zone with 1,487 cases and six deaths, health officials believe the outbreak may be waning.
Wisconsin reported a new 35-year peak with 477 cases, and Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky saw a spike in numbers as well. All but 2% of the cases in Wisconsin were in people who were not vaccinated.
Two MMR vaccines provide protection against measles with an effectiveness rate of 97%. Public health experts continue to urge parents to ensure their children receive the necessary vaccinations to curb the spread of the virus.
Community outreach programs are being ramped up across affected states to educate the public on the importance of immunization. Healthcare facilities are taking extra precautions to isolate infected patients and prevent nosocomial transmission.
Federal agencies are working closely with state health departments to distribute medical supplies and vaccines where they are needed most. Despite these concerted efforts, the sheer volume of new infections has strained local healthcare systems in several hard-hit regions.
Authorities remain on high alert as the outbreak shows no immediate signs of stopping entirely.