The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has counted 4,410 measles cases in the United States so far in 2026, a rise of 330 over the past week. The agency has also sent an investigator to Pennsylvania to help contain the country’s largest outbreak.
Nationwide hospitalisations and age breakdown
CDC figures show 451 measles-related hospitalisations across the country this year. Children and teenagers aged five to 19 make up 42 percent of cases, while adults aged 20 and over account for 41 percent. The remaining 17 percent involve children under five.
Pennsylvania deaths and vaccination drive
The Pennsylvania state health department reported 1,222 cases in 42 counties as of Wednesday, including 86 new infections since October 9. The outbreak has caused 225 hospitalisations and five confirmed measles-associated deaths, and state officials are investigating a sixth reported death.
State health centre staff have given more than 5,900 measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine doses at 202 pop-up clinics since the outbreak began in late April. The CDC is also assisting state health officials through its Epidemic Intelligence Service, following Pennsylvania’s request for federal help.
New York emergency and falling kindergarten vaccination
New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a statewide disaster emergency on October 5 as cases climbed in nearby Pennsylvania. The order runs until November 4, widening the pool of healthcare professionals allowed to administer vaccines and giving nurses more freedom to order measles testing.
CDC data show that measles vaccination coverage among US kindergarteners dropped from 95.2 percent in the 2019–2020 school year to 92.4 percent in 2025–2026. The agency estimates that roughly 280,000 kindergarteners are at risk due to these gaps.
