In 2026, the U.S. recorded over 2,289 measles cases by mid-July, surpassing the previous record of more than 2,200 cases in 2025. This surge has put the country at risk of losing its measles elimination status since 2000; two deaths occurred due to measles in Pennsylvania this August, marking the state’s first measles-related fatalities in 35 years. The increase is attributed primarily to declining vaccination rates and lower community immunity thresholds across multiple states.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-09,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
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Story summary
So far in 2026, the U.S. has seen 18 outbreaks leading to more than 2,200 confirmed measles cases, surpassing the previous record set in 2025. This surge is putting the country at risk of losing its official measles elimination status, which it achieved in 2000. Two people have died from the disease in the U.S., both unvaccinated individuals in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, marking the state's first measles-related deaths since 1986. The CDC reports that measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases known, capable of causing severe complications such as cognitive issues, deafness, and even death. Medical experts emphasize that vaccination remains safe and highly effective against the disease.
Written for “Measles Cases Record High Us” on 2026-10-09,
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Leaning: leans left for article 68783 (high confidence, 2 verified quotes) · logged 2026-10-09
So far in 2026, the U.S. has recorded the most measles cases in more than three decades as outbreaks spread in multiple states, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data.
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outbreaks → record → data
By mid-July, the number had already surpassed all of 2025, which had been the worst year in recent history with more than 2,200 confirmed cases.
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which → surpass → cases
In August, the .
Ongoing outbreaks have put the U.S. at risk of losing its official measles elimination status, which it has held since 2000.
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it → ongoe → 2000
Two people in the U.S. have died, according to the CDC.
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people → die → CDC
Pennsylvania's health department had announced in August that two people died in the state — its first
connected to measles in 35 years, and both in Lancaster County.
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people → announce → County
Both of the individuals were not vaccinated against the virus, state health officials said.severe infections in the lungs and brain that can lead to cognitive issues, deafness or death.
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that → vaccinate → issues
But it can be prevented by vaccination, which medical research has proven to be safe and highly effective.
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research → prevent → vaccination
In some cases, it can causeThe CBS News data team has tracked confirmed measles cases nationwide as new data is released by state health departments and the CDC.
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data → track → departments
Out of the 2,289 confirmed cases last year, more than 750 were connected to an outbreak in West Texas that led to the deaths of two children.
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that → confirm → children
Prior to 2025, the highest number of confirmed cases in the U.S. in recent years was 1,274 in 2019, driven by
in New York, California and Washington state.
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number → confirm → York
Health experts point to
as the main reason for increases in infectious diseases like measles.
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experts → point → measles
The vast majority of cases have been in people who were unvaccinated, and outbreaks have spread in communities with lower vaccination rates.
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outbreaks → spread → rates
CDC data shows about in the U.S. got their measles-mumps-rubella shots in the 2025-2026 school year, down slightly from 92.5% the .
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about → show → the
The figure has declined from 95.2% during the 2019-2020 school year — a critical threshold to keep people safe.
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figure → decline → people
Only 10 states hit the 95% threshold last year.
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states → hit → threshold
"When more than 95% of people in a community are vaccinated, most people are protected through community immunity (herd immunity)," the CDC states.
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CDC → vaccinate → immunity
"I think that parents, for most kids, especially for the measles vaccines, the DTP, all the standard childhood vaccines, it's very important that parents vaccinate their kids," Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, the director of the National Institutes of Health,
Research has found no evidence of increased rates of autism among those who are vaccinated compared to those who are not.
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who → think → those
Vaccines also undergo intensive safety testing.
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Vaccines → undergo → testing
The Aporia
