US measles cases reach 4,410 as the Pennsylvania outbreak grows

US measles cases so far in 2026

4,410 cases

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recorded 4,410 measles cases so far in 2026, up 330 in a week, with 451 hospitalizations.

Pennsylvania has 1,222 cases in 42 counties, the country's largest outbreak, with five confirmed deaths and a sixth under investigation. The CDC is sending an investigator at the state's request.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a statewide disaster emergency on Oct 5, in effect until Nov 4, to widen who can give vaccines and order measles tests.

Measles vaccination coverage among US kindergarteners fell from 95.2 per cent in 2019-2020 to 92.4 per cent in 2025-2026. The CDC estimates about 280,000 kindergarteners are at risk.