Right now the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) mentioned US measles circumstances have now reached 733, which is 145 greater than per week in the past. And South Carolina, which is combating by far the biggest outbreak within the nation, now has 920 infections in an outbreak that began final fall, 44 of that are new prior to now few days.
Of the 733 US circumstances, six had been travel-related and 727 reported by 20 states. Totally 92% of confirmed circumstances (671) are outbreak-related, largely outbreaks that started final yr and proceed to develop.
Amongst measles sufferers, 95% are unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccine standing, in contrast with 4% who’re totally vaccinated. Eighty-five p.c of sufferers are kids or younger adults as much as 19 years previous, whereas 28% are youthful than 5 years previous.
Twenty-three sufferers this yr (3%) have required hospital care, in contrast with 11% final yr. No deaths have but been reported, in contrast with three in 2025, which noticed 2,276 infections for the yr, essentially the most since 1991. The nation, nonetheless, is on monitor to go that complete this yr and lose the measles elimination standing it had gained in 2000 after coordinated vaccination efforts.
Prime CDC officers, nonetheless, have lately downplayed the affect of measles on US kids, although it is without doubt one of the most contagious ailments identified. Final month Ralph Abraham, MD, the CDC’s principal deputy director, mentioned dropping measles elimination standing is the “price of doing enterprise.” And Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the secretary of the Division of Well being and Human Providers, which oversees the CDC, has issued complicated vaccine recommendation.
Largest US outbreak in many years reaches 920 circumstances
In an replace at present, the South Carolina Division of Public Well being (SCDPH) famous that the state’s outbreak—the biggest in many years—grew from 876 circumstances to 920. It’s virtually sure to high 1,000 circumstances within the coming weeks.
Final yr’s largest outbreak, centered in West Texas, started in late January 2025 and was declared over in August after 762 circumstances. The SCDPH reported South Carolina’s first circumstances on October 2, 2025. The outbreak is centered within the Upstate area of the state, particularly Spartanburg County, and carefully tied to college students in non-public colleges with low vaccination charges.
Of the 920 circumstances to this point, 879 (96%) have been in Spartanburg County. Equally, 95% of case-patients have been unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccine standing. Virtually 90% of circumstances contain kids, together with 240 kids (26%) below age 5 years.
Vaccination continues to be one of the best ways to forestall measles and cease this outbreak.
At present 277 individuals are in quarantine within the state, and eight measles sufferers are in isolation.
“Vaccination continues to be one of the best ways to forestall measles and cease this outbreak,” the SCDPH mentioned. “In January 2026, there was a powerful enhance in measles vaccinations throughout the state and in Spartanburg, the place the outbreak is centered. Over 16,800 doses of measles vaccine had been administered statewide, a rise of greater than 7,000 doses in comparison with January 2025, a 72% enhance.”
Spartanburg County noticed a 162% vaccination enhance in contrast with final January.
Different states file new circumstances
Different states throughout the nation famous new measles infections. Arizona, which has the second largest outbreak in the US, recorded 10 new infections, bringing its 2026 complete to 34. Its outbreak complete is now 254, which incorporates 220 circumstances in 2025. Of the 2026 circumstances, 25 have been in Mohave County within the north.
Utah’s 2025-26 outbreak grew by 14 circumstances, to 251. Fifty-six of these circumstances have been reported this yr, 48 of them prior to now three weeks. Of the 251 outbreak circumstances, 163 are in southwest Utah, throughout the border from Mohave County, Arizona.
North Carolina reported two new circumstances, together with a brand new hospital affected person. Its measles complete to this point this yr reached 17 diseases.
Washington state is just not far behind, at 16 circumstances to this point this yr, after Clark County officers this week reported six new circumstances, seven complete. Neighboring Idaho, with three new circumstances, now has 21 circumstances for each 2025 and 2026. Signs started for seven of the sufferers this yr.
After officers yesterday confirmed 20 measles circumstances at Ave Maria College in Collier County, Florida, officers on the College of Florida in Gainesville reported measles exposures after state officers confirmed two circumstances in its county, Alachua. And at present the administration of St. Petersburg Catholic Excessive College in St. Petersburg confirmed a measles case in a pupil.
