Which US states are at highest risk of measles in 2026? Full details about active outbreak
Measles cases surpass 2,900 in 2026 as outbreaks spread across 47 states
Published August 31, 2026
The United States has been hit by a significant measles resurgence, with 2,903 confirmed cases reported across 47 jurisdiction as of August 30, 2026, as confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The number of total cases has surpassed the 2,289 recorded for the full year of 2025.
Pennsylvania has become the latest epicenter of the disease, recording over 460 cases, mostly centered in Lancaster County. Pennsylvania has also reported the first measles-related deaths of the year in the United States, although the CDC is still conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the deaths.
Wisconsin has experienced the biggest measles outbreak in decades, with outbreaks in certain counties. The state of Georgia is currently trying to control outbreaks that have occurred due to community exposures, which include a metro Atlanta daycare center.
The current hotspots of measles are:
- Pennsylvania (Largest active outbreak with 460+ cases, centered in Lancaster County)
- Wisconsin (Largest outbreak in decades with major local county clusters)
- Georgia (Growing clusters linked to community exposures)
The authorities have also put several states, including Texas and South Carolina, under elevated watch due to prior major outbreaks.
Of the total number of cases confirmed, 94 percent are of people who either have not been vaccinated or have uncertain vaccination records. Forty-seven percent of the cases occur in the age group 5-19 years, whereas 19 percent are in the below-5-years age category. The percentage of hospitalization is 8 percent, with the highest rates being 11 percent among children below five years and adults above 20 years.
The immunization rate of kindergarteners in the United States has dropped to 92.4 percent from 95.2 percent in the 2019-2020 school year. This leaves around 280,000 children vulnerable to the infection. Officials state that the MMR vaccine is the best way to protect oneself against measles.
