ATLANTA: The United States is facing its worst measles outbreak in 35 years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 2,318 measles cases so far in 2026.
Health officials say the outbreak is growing because fewer people are getting vaccinated and vaccine hesitancy continues to rise.
The latest CDC figures show that this year’s total has already passed the 2,289 cases reported in 2025. That year had already set a record for the highest number of measles infections in decades. Officials now expect the number of cases to keep increasing in the coming months.
Measles is one of the world’s most contagious diseases. It usually causes fever, cough, a runny nose and a red skin rash. However, the illness can also lead to serious health problems. These include pneumonia, brain inflammation and, in some cases, death, young children and people with weakened immune systems face the highest risk.
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Andrew Racine, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said the current outbreak could have been prevented through routine vaccination, “We are witnessing an avoidable crisis that disproportionately hurts children, we should not accept this as our new normal”Racine said.
The United States declared measles eliminated in 2000 after years of successful vaccination programs. Since then, vaccination rates have fallen in some communities. At the same time, misinformation about vaccines has spread online. Health experts say these two factors have allowed measles to return.
Many parents are now delaying or refusing childhood vaccinations because they fear side effects or do not trust health authorities. Although most states require the measles vaccine for school enrollment, some families receive religious or other non-medical exemptions.
Medical experts continue to urge parents to follow the recommended vaccination schedule. They say the measles vaccine is safe, effective and the best way to prevent infection. Experts also warn that maintaining high vaccination rates is essential to stop the current outbreak and prevent future cases across the United States.
