https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/measles/101-new-cases-us-measles-total-tops-2500
With 101 new cases, US measles total tops 2,500
Jim Wappes
Today at 3:26 p.m.
Measles
This is the second straight week of about 100 new cases after previous weeks’ totals of about half that. Most this week’s cases are in Pennsylvania, though Ohio also saw a substantial increase.
The CDC noted 38 outbreaks, the same as last week. Last year saw 48 measles outbreaks, defined as three or more related cases. Total cases for all of 2025 reached 2,289, which was the most since 1991 until the country surpassed that level several weeks ago.
All but 16 of this year’s cases have been locally acquired, with the rest tied to international travel.
Of the 2026 cases, 19% involve children age 5 and under, and 67% involve kids and teens. Seven percent of patients have been hospitalized, compared with 11% in 2025. Among all measles patients, 93% are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccine status.
No measles deaths have been reported this year. Last year, three people, including two children, died of measles, one of the most transmissible diseases known to humans.
RFK Jr previously downplayed vaccine in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania continues to be the country’s hot spot, which reported 61 of the newest cases. Of the state's 296 cases for the year, at least 145 of those (49%) are in Lancaster County, the state’s hardest-hit county, according to today’s update
The New York Times reported this week that, five years ago, before he was secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attended a rally in Lancaster County to downplay the severity of measles and the importance of vaccination.
“Those agencies are going to do everything in their power to make the Amish vaccinate,” he said, referring to national public health agencies. “Because they cannot stand the fact that you are healthy.”
“The cure for measles is chicken soup and vitamin A,” he added, despite the fact that there is no cure for measles.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health, in contrast, says on its measles dashboard page, “Two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) or measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine provide the best protection against measles. Most people who are vaccinated with MMR & MMRV will be protected for life.”
Despite those earlier efforts in Pennsylvania, Kennedy on CNN downplayed his history of promoting vaccine skepticism as having a role in the current expanding measles outbreak.
The groups facing these outbreaks were “almost all religious communities that just don’t vaccinate,” he said. “It’s hard to blame that on me.”
Two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) or measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine provide the best protection against measles.
In the Times story, vaccine expert Peter Hotez, MD, said Kennedy’s current responses to the measles outbreak still leave much to be desired.
“Every now and then, Kennedy will be dragged in front of the camera and begrudgingly make some offhand positive comment about the M.M.R. vaccine,” Hotez said. “But that’s about the best you’re going to get out of him.”
24 new cases in Ohio
In neighboring Ohio, health officials have confirmed 69 cases so far this year, an increase of 24 this week.
Geauga County, the state’s worst[SB1] -hit, has seen its number grow from two at the end of July to 16 this week. Last week the county had 13 cases. To the south, Harrison County reported its first case, bringing the number of affected Ohio counties to 11.
Utah, the state with the largest active measles outbreak, confirmed four new cases this week and 518 for 2026. Last year Utah recorded 197 cases.
Washington state added two infections, bringing its total for the year to 55 cases.
Arizona noted one new measles case this week; the state’s total for 2026 is now at 122. Many of the recent Arizona cases are in Maricopa County.
In promising news, Virginia reported no new cases for the fifth straight week. It had previously been a measles hot spot. Its total remains at 177.
With 101 new cases, US measles total tops 2,500
Jim Wappes
Today at 3:26 p.m.
Measles
With 101 newly confirmed measles cases nationwide, the US total has now reached 2,566 this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said today in its weekly update.This is the second straight week of about 100 new cases after previous weeks’ totals of about half that. Most this week’s cases are in Pennsylvania, though Ohio also saw a substantial increase.
The CDC noted 38 outbreaks, the same as last week. Last year saw 48 measles outbreaks, defined as three or more related cases. Total cases for all of 2025 reached 2,289, which was the most since 1991 until the country surpassed that level several weeks ago.
All but 16 of this year’s cases have been locally acquired, with the rest tied to international travel.
Of the 2026 cases, 19% involve children age 5 and under, and 67% involve kids and teens. Seven percent of patients have been hospitalized, compared with 11% in 2025. Among all measles patients, 93% are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccine status.
No measles deaths have been reported this year. Last year, three people, including two children, died of measles, one of the most transmissible diseases known to humans.
RFK Jr previously downplayed vaccine in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania continues to be the country’s hot spot, which reported 61 of the newest cases. Of the state's 296 cases for the year, at least 145 of those (49%) are in Lancaster County, the state’s hardest-hit county, according to today’s update
The New York Times reported this week that, five years ago, before he was secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attended a rally in Lancaster County to downplay the severity of measles and the importance of vaccination.
“Those agencies are going to do everything in their power to make the Amish vaccinate,” he said, referring to national public health agencies. “Because they cannot stand the fact that you are healthy.”
“The cure for measles is chicken soup and vitamin A,” he added, despite the fact that there is no cure for measles.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health, in contrast, says on its measles dashboard page, “Two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) or measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine provide the best protection against measles. Most people who are vaccinated with MMR & MMRV will be protected for life.”
Despite those earlier efforts in Pennsylvania, Kennedy on CNN downplayed his history of promoting vaccine skepticism as having a role in the current expanding measles outbreak.
The groups facing these outbreaks were “almost all religious communities that just don’t vaccinate,” he said. “It’s hard to blame that on me.”
Two doses of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) or measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine provide the best protection against measles.
In the Times story, vaccine expert Peter Hotez, MD, said Kennedy’s current responses to the measles outbreak still leave much to be desired.
“Every now and then, Kennedy will be dragged in front of the camera and begrudgingly make some offhand positive comment about the M.M.R. vaccine,” Hotez said. “But that’s about the best you’re going to get out of him.”
24 new cases in Ohio
In neighboring Ohio, health officials have confirmed 69 cases so far this year, an increase of 24 this week.
Geauga County, the state’s worst[SB1] -hit, has seen its number grow from two at the end of July to 16 this week. Last week the county had 13 cases. To the south, Harrison County reported its first case, bringing the number of affected Ohio counties to 11.
Utah, the state with the largest active measles outbreak, confirmed four new cases this week and 518 for 2026. Last year Utah recorded 197 cases.
Washington state added two infections, bringing its total for the year to 55 cases.
Arizona noted one new measles case this week; the state’s total for 2026 is now at 122. Many of the recent Arizona cases are in Maricopa County.
In promising news, Virginia reported no new cases for the fifth straight week. It had previously been a measles hot spot. Its total remains at 177.