The United States has experienced the highest number of measles cases since the virus was declared eliminated in 2000, marking a significant resurgence of the disease. As of this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 2,318 measles cases, surpassing last year’s count of over 2,200 and setting a two-decade record. Public health experts warn that this trend may signal a return to an era in which measles regularly affects thousands annually.
Several large outbreaks have contributed to the rise in cases. One of the most significant occurred in South Carolina beginning in October 2025, originating in an evangelical Slavic community. This outbreak ultimately sickened nearly 1,000 people and was declared over in April by state health officials. Additional outbreaks have been identified elsewhere, including Utah, where more than 700 cases have spread statewide since last summer; Virginia, with over 170 reported cases since mid-May; and Pennsylvania, which has reported more than 100 cases this year. In total, the CDC has documented 35 new measles outbreaks nationwide in 2026.
The majority of infections have been reported among individuals who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown. Experts point to declining vaccination rates as a key factor in the resurgence. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, national measles vaccination coverage has dropped below the 95 percent threshold needed to prevent widespread transmission, with approximately 93 percent of kindergartners now vaccinated. However, vaccination rates vary widely by community, with some areas showing rates as low as 80 percent or less, creating pockets vulnerable to outbreaks.
Children have been the most affected demographic, accounting for more than 70 percent of confirmed cases. Over 80 children and adolescents have required hospitalization due to complications such as pneumonia and brain swelling, conditions that can have long-term consequences including blindness, deafness, and intellectual disabilities. Infants too young for vaccination and individuals with medical exemptions have also been affected.
Public health officials highlight the extensive economic and logistical burdens resulting from the outbreaks, which demand significant resources for case tracking, vaccination campaigns, and laboratory testing. Research estimates that each measles case cost the United States over $100,000 in 2025 when accounting for medical expenses and lost productivity.
The resurgence in the U.S. mirrors similar trends globally, with countries like Canada reporting over a thousand cases this year and Bangladesh experiencing more than 8,000 infections since March.
Criticism has been directed at the federal government’s response to the outbreaks. Some experts note the absence of a national campaign to increase vaccination rates, describing messaging around measles control as minimal. The Department of Health and Human Services points to ongoing outbreak response efforts, including $8.5 million in funding allocated to states and support provided by the CDC, emphasizing that the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine remains the most effective protection against the disease.
Looking ahead, an international panel is scheduled to meet in November to review whether the United States should retain its measles elimination status, a designation that has been a key public health milestone for over two decades.