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U.S. Measles Cases Have Already Surpassed All of 2025, CDC Data Shows

With 2,318 cases confirmed so far in 2026, the country's worst measles year since 1991 threatens to end its 25-year elimination status this fall.

By THRYV Life Desk·Published August 18, 2026·Updated August 18, 2026·4 min read
U.S. Measles Cases Have Already Surpassed All of 2025, CDC Data Shows
Health · Illustration commissioned for THRYV. Photography is replaced with original imagery as each story is produced.

The takeaway

The U.S. has confirmed 2,318 measles cases in 2026, already exceeding 2025's full-year total of 2,289, according to CDC data tracked by CIDRAP. Utah, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Arizona have the largest outbreaks, and 93% of patients were unvaccinated or had unknown status. Officials warn the country risks losing its measles elimination status this fall.

The United States has confirmed 2,318 measles cases so far in 2026, according to CDC data compiled by the infectious-disease tracker CIDRAP, already surpassing the 2,289 cases recorded for all of 2025 and making 2026 the worst year for measles in the U.S. since 1991.

Where cases are concentrated

  • Utah: 514 cases, the largest single active outbreak
  • Virginia: 177 cases, with no new cases reported in the past two weeks
  • Pennsylvania: 139 confirmed cases, including 29 added in the most recent week
  • Arizona: 119 cases, concentrated in Maricopa County, with 11 added in the most recent week
  • Washington: 46 cases

Vaccination gap

Of confirmed patients, 93% were either unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status, underscoring the role of vaccination gaps in the outbreak's spread. The measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is about 97% effective at preventing infection after two doses, according to CDC guidance.

Elimination status at risk

The U.S. has held measles elimination status — meaning the disease has no continuous year-round transmission — since 2000. Public health officials have warned that status could be lost this fall if transmission chains continue for 12 consecutive months in any single outbreak cluster.

Halfway into 2026, the U.S. is experiencing the worst year for measles since 1991.
Dr. Andrew Racine, president, American Academy of Pediatrics

What this means for families

Public health officials continue to recommend the two-dose MMR vaccine series as the most effective way to prevent infection and slow community spread. Parents unsure of their child's vaccination status, or adults uncertain of their own, are encouraged to check with a pediatrician or primary care provider rather than rely on assumptions about past immunization.

Sources

This article is original writing by THRYV. We link to primary reporting and official documents rather than reproducing them.

  1. CDC: Ever-expanding US measles outbreak tops last year's total — CIDRAP

Why you can trust this article

Written and edited in-house by the THRYV Life Desk. We do not republish or reword agency copy, and we do not invent quotes, statistics, testimonials or ratings. Where figures move frequently, we point you to the primary release rather than printing a number that will be out of date. Advertising and affiliate partnerships have no influence on our reporting — see our editorial standards, fact-checking policy and affiliate disclosure. Spotted an error? Write to newsroom@thryv-news.com.

General information only. Not personalised financial, medical or legal advice.

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