As of 2026, the U.S. is experiencing its highest number of measles cases in over thirty years, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By mid-July, the total had already exceeded the figures for 2025, which was previously the peak year in recent history with over 2,200 confirmed cases. The continuing outbreaks raise concerns about the country’s potential loss of its official measles elimination status, a designation it has maintained since 2000.
Measles is among the most contagious infectious diseases. It can result in serious complications in the lungs and brain, often leading to cognitive problems, deafness, or even death. Fortunately, it is preventable through vaccination, which medical studies have shown to be both safe and highly effective.
The CBS News data team has been tracking confirmed measles cases across the nation, updating numbers from state health departments and the CDC regularly.
Out of 2,289 confirmed cases in recent years, over 750 were tied to an outbreak in West Texas, which tragically resulted in the deaths of two children. Before 2025, the highest case count in recent years was 1,274 in 2019, primarily due to outbreaks in New York, California, and Washington state. Usually, the counts have been much lower.
Experts attribute the rise in preventable diseases, like measles, to declining vaccination rates. Most cases report that the individuals were unvaccinated, demonstrating that outbreaks are more likely in communities with lower vaccination coverage.
CDC statistics show that approximately 93% of kindergartners in the U.S. received measles vaccinations for the 2021-2022 school year, with a slight dip to 92.7% for the 2023-2024 school year. This decrease is notable, as it falls from 95.2% during the 2019-2020 school year, which is critical for safe community health. Only ten states have managed to maintain that critical threshold.
“When at least 95% of a community is vaccinated, it helps protect most individuals through herd immunity,” according to the CDC.
“I believe that it’s crucial for parents to vaccinate their kids, particularly for measles, DTP, and other standard vaccines,” remarked Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, the director of the National Institutes of Health, during a recent interview.
Research has shown no correlation between vaccination and increased autism rates when comparing vaccinated individuals to those who are unvaccinated. Additionally, vaccines undergo rigorous safety testing.
