U.S. measles cases top 5,000 this year, with eight measles-associated deaths

Measles cases in the United States have surpassed 5,000 this year for the first time since the 1990s, with at least 5,182 confirmed cases in 45 states and Washington, D.C., and eight measles-associated deaths, according to CDC data and state health officials.

Measles cases in the United States have surpassed 5,000 this year, according to newly updated data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At least 5,182 cases have been confirmed in 45 states and Washington, D.C., including 18 among international visitors.

Eight measles-associated deaths have been confirmed in 2026: six in Pennsylvania, one in New York and one in Wisconsin. Three were confirmed this week. New York reported its first known measles-associated death in more than 30 years, a child in upstate New York, while Wisconsin said an infant died with measles, the state's first such death since 1990. The CDC has confirmed four of the eight deaths so far.

About 96% of cases are among people who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown, according to the CDC. Most cases have been among people aged 5 to 19, and at least 11% have resulted in hospitalization, including more than 1 in 10 children under 5.

Electron microscope image of a measles virus particle (NIAID)

The CDC recommends two doses of the MMR vaccine, the first at 12 to 15 months and the second at 4 to 6 years. One dose is 93% effective and two doses are 97% effective against measles. Vaccination rates have been lagging: 92.4% of kindergartners received the MMR vaccine in the 2025-26 school year, down from 95.2% in 2019-20.