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US Measles Cases More Than Double Last Year's Total
· Confirmed
In Short: The number of measles cases in the United States has more than doubled this year, reaching 4,588 cases as of the latest CDC report, compared to 2,244 cases reported in 2025.
The number of measles cases in the United States has more than doubled this year, reaching 4,588 cases as of the latest CDC report, compared to 2,244 cases reported in 2025. This surge has raised concerns about the country's ability to maintain its measles elimination status, which was declared in 2000.
Pennsylvania is at the epicenter of the outbreak, with more than 1,300 cases reported across 44 counties as of October 20, 2026. The state health department has reported 78 new cases over the past week, bringing the total to 1,338 cases, nearly 30% of the nation’s total.
The outbreak in Pennsylvania began in late April and has since spread to neighboring counties. Lancaster County, known for its traditional Amish roots, has seen a significant number of cases. As of October 20, the state has reported 12 new cases in Lancaster County alone since Monday.
Health officials are particularly concerned about the impact on pregnant individuals and newborns. Pennsylvania's health department issued a health alert warning of an increase in measles cases among pregnant individuals and the subsequent rise in congenital measles cases, which have not been seen in decades.
The outbreak has also led to five measles-associated deaths in Pennsylvania, with a sixth death reported recently by a local coroner. The victims were all unvaccinated, highlighting the importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of the disease.
The outbreak has spread across the country, with 43 outbreaks reported so far this year. Kentucky has nearly doubled its number of cases in less than three weeks, with 94 confirmed cases. Wisconsin has also reported more than 40 new cases over the last 10 days.
The rapid spread of the disease is attributed to low vaccination rates and vaccine hesitancy. In Pennsylvania, the outbreak has been concentrated in unvaccinated communities, with 96% of confirmed cases being in people who are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccination status.
Health officials are urging residents to get vaccinated and are conducting pop-up clinics to increase vaccination rates. The Pennsylvania Department of Health has administered more than 6,500 measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccinations at these clinics since the outbreak began in late April.
What this adds
The outbreak in Pennsylvania has more than doubled the national total from last year, with 1,260 cases reported as of Friday, according to the state health department.
Background
Pennsylvania is facing its worst measles outbreak in three decades, with the state health department reporting 1,260 cases as of Friday.
Pennsylvania's measles outbreak has grown to over 1,300 cases, more than doubling the national total from last year.
What's confirmed
- As of October 19, Pennsylvania had reported 1,286 measles cases this year across 42 counties, according to Ars Technica.
- Pennsylvania's Lancaster County is known for its traditional Amish roots and open farmland. ( AFP: René Mattes/Hemis ) The US state of Pennsylvania is grappling with its worst measles outbreak in three decades, with more than 1,300 cases reported since April.
What's still developing
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