Commonground
Senior Moderator
According to data from the United States CDC as of October 29, 2026, there have been 4,852 confirmed cases reported
during 2026. This number represents the most measles cases in the country since 1991, and twice the number of cases for
the full year of 2025 (2,289). Since the previous update, 264 confirmed incident cases with rash onset during 2026 were
reported by 11 states, primarily in Pennsylvania (84). Additionally, Pennsylvania reported a 6th measles-associated death,
New York reported a first measles-associated death (in over 30 years) among a child, and Wisconsin reported a first
measles-associated death among an infant.
Table Notes: Data as of October 29, 2026, and includes cases reported among international visitors to the United States; ‡2026 measles-associated deaths are based on reporting by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, New York State Department of Health, and Wisconsin Department of Health Services as of November 5, 2026; †Change in cumulative total compared to previous update; *Case fatality rate (CFR).
During 2026, confirmed cases have been reported by 47 jurisdictions, primarily Pennsylvania (1,411), South Carolina (670), Utah (535), Wisconsin (323), Kentucky (200), Ohio (195), Texas (192), Virginia (179), and Florida (148) as of October 29. In New York, there have been 8 confirmed cases reported in New York City and 210 in Rest of State (218 total) as of October 31. New York public and healthcare officials can monitor the growing outbreak via the New York State Department of Health’s Measles Dashboard. There have been 43 outbreaks reported during 2026 – 96% of confirmed cases reported during 2026 are outbreak-associated (3,282 from outbreaks that began during 2026 and 1,384 from 2025). Most cases were locally acquired, with 18 cases associated with international travel. Those aged 5–19 years and 20+ years have been most affected (each group 41%). Among all confirmed cases, 96% have been unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination statuses and 11% have been hospitalized – including 16% of those aged <5 years and 14% of those aged 20+ years.
A recently published study estimated that global measles cases among children younger than 5 years rose by 40% and
deaths increased 12% between 2020 and 2023. The past two years have seen the largest number of reported measles
cases in the United States since 1991. The nation obtained elimination status in 2000, but may soon lose this status upon
review by the Measles and Rubella Elimination Regional Monitoring and Re-Verification Commission during their sixth
annual meeting on November 10–13, 2026. The United States CDC currently has a Level 1 – Practice Usual Precautions
Travel Health Notice posted regarding measles globally. Vaccination offers the best protection against measles.
Data Source: CDC (10/30/26), Pennsylvania DOH (11/4/26), Wisconsin DHS (11/5/26), NYSDOH (11/2/26)
during 2026. This number represents the most measles cases in the country since 1991, and twice the number of cases for
the full year of 2025 (2,289). Since the previous update, 264 confirmed incident cases with rash onset during 2026 were
reported by 11 states, primarily in Pennsylvania (84). Additionally, Pennsylvania reported a 6th measles-associated death,
New York reported a first measles-associated death (in over 30 years) among a child, and Wisconsin reported a first
measles-associated death among an infant.
Table Notes: Data as of October 29, 2026, and includes cases reported among international visitors to the United States; ‡2026 measles-associated deaths are based on reporting by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, New York State Department of Health, and Wisconsin Department of Health Services as of November 5, 2026; †Change in cumulative total compared to previous update; *Case fatality rate (CFR).
During 2026, confirmed cases have been reported by 47 jurisdictions, primarily Pennsylvania (1,411), South Carolina (670), Utah (535), Wisconsin (323), Kentucky (200), Ohio (195), Texas (192), Virginia (179), and Florida (148) as of October 29. In New York, there have been 8 confirmed cases reported in New York City and 210 in Rest of State (218 total) as of October 31. New York public and healthcare officials can monitor the growing outbreak via the New York State Department of Health’s Measles Dashboard. There have been 43 outbreaks reported during 2026 – 96% of confirmed cases reported during 2026 are outbreak-associated (3,282 from outbreaks that began during 2026 and 1,384 from 2025). Most cases were locally acquired, with 18 cases associated with international travel. Those aged 5–19 years and 20+ years have been most affected (each group 41%). Among all confirmed cases, 96% have been unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination statuses and 11% have been hospitalized – including 16% of those aged <5 years and 14% of those aged 20+ years.
A recently published study estimated that global measles cases among children younger than 5 years rose by 40% and
deaths increased 12% between 2020 and 2023. The past two years have seen the largest number of reported measles
cases in the United States since 1991. The nation obtained elimination status in 2000, but may soon lose this status upon
review by the Measles and Rubella Elimination Regional Monitoring and Re-Verification Commission during their sixth
annual meeting on November 10–13, 2026. The United States CDC currently has a Level 1 – Practice Usual Precautions
Travel Health Notice posted regarding measles globally. Vaccination offers the best protection against measles.
Data Source: CDC (10/30/26), Pennsylvania DOH (11/4/26), Wisconsin DHS (11/5/26), NYSDOH (11/2/26)