US measles cases top 2,500, highest in 35 years

The United States has recorded 2,566 measles cases and 38 outbreaks so far in 2026, the highest number since 1991, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This marks a second consecutive annual record since measles was declared eliminated in 2000, driven by falling vaccination rates Source: elcaribedr. The previous report on July 24 counted 2,318 cases, and the 2025 total was 2,289 Source: infobae. No measles deaths have been confirmed this year, compared with three in 2025 Source: diariolibree.

Key figures

• 93% of cases occurred in unvaccinated people; 67% in children and young people aged 0–19 Source: elcaribedr.
• The disease has been reported in 47 states or territories; the hardest-hit are South Carolina (670), Utah (526), Pennsylvania (280), Texas (190), Virginia (176), Florida (141), and Arizona (109) Source: diariolibree.
• Preschool vaccination coverage fell from 95.2% in 2019–2020 to 92.5% in 2024–2025, leaving 286,000 students at risk Source: infobae.

Policy context

President Donald Trump signed an executive order reducing the number of diseases for which the federal government recommends universal childhood vaccination from 18 to 11, moving flu, COVID-19, hepatitis A and B, rotavirus, and meningitis to risk-based or shared decision-making categories Source: infobae. The order, promoted with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., also mandates a review of the federal childhood vaccination schedule Source: diariolibree.

Risk of losing elimination status

Only ten states reach the 95% vaccination threshold needed for herd immunity Source: elcaribedr. Experts warn that the sustained outbreak could cause the U.S. to lose its official measles elimination status, maintained since 2000 Source: infobae.