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Measles Cases Reach Highest Annual Total Since 1991 in U.S
Confirmed
In Short: The U.S. CDC reports 2,318 confirmed measles cases in the first seven months of 2026, marking the highest annual total since 1991.
The U.S. CDC reports 2,318 confirmed measles cases in the first seven months of 2026, marking the highest annual total since 1991, according to official figures released by the CDC. This significant uptick in cases is a serious concern as vaccine hesitancy continues to grow.
Pennsylvania, which has been hardest hit, continues to see numbers climb with 86 new cases added this week, bringing the total to 460 cases with 83 hospitalizations. The state also reported two measles-associated deaths on August 25, though the Pennsylvania Department of Health offered little information to protect patient privacy.
Measles generally has a mortality rate of one per 1,000 cases, but two recent reports suggest that the current outbreak in Pennsylvania is much worse, with a mortality rate of one per 200 cases. This indicates that the outbreak is more severe than initially reported.
Utah, which had the largest measles outbreak, reported no new cases for the third week in a row. However, the CDC's data for August 28, 2026, have been delayed but will be updated as soon as possible. As of August 20, 2026, the CDC said there were 2,777 cases of measles in 47 states.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- Pennsylvania continues to see numbers climb in its ongoing measles outbreak, with 86 new cases added this week, which brings the total number of cases to 460 with 83 hospitalizations, according to an update today of…
- On August 25, the commonwealth announced two measles-associated deaths and the Pennsylvania Department of Health originally offered little information regarding these cases to protect patient privacy, according to…
- Measles generally has a mortality rate of one per 1,000 cases, but two deaths per 400 cases, which is a mortality rate of one per 200, “suggests that the outbreak is much worse than is claimed,” he wrote.
- For the third week in a row, Utah, which had the largest measles outbreak, reported no new cases.
- While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) typically update their measles numbers on Friday, a notification said the August 28, 2026, data have been delayed but will be updated as soon as possible.
- As of August 20, 2026, the CDC said there were 2,777 cases of measles in 47 states.
- Two recent reports, however, show promising results for an experimental monoclonal antibody called MBP134.
- Since 2026 began, the United States has already recorded its worst measles outbreak in 35 years, according to official figures released Friday, a serious uptick in cases as vaccine hesitancy grows.