CDC reports more than 5,000 measles cases, highest number in 35 years | Health News
Record Measles Cases Reported in the U.S., Primarily Among Youth
Published November 7, 2026
A total of 5,182 confirmed cases of measles have been reported in the United States as of November 2026, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This marks the highest number of cases recorded since 1991.
Among the confirmed cases, children under five years of age account for 18 percent, while those between the ages of five and 19 represent 41 percent. Together, these age groups constitute nearly 60 percent of all reported cases. The vast majority of the cases, totaling 4,993, have been linked to outbreaks.
The resurgence of measles cases coincides with a decline in vaccination rates among U.S. kindergarteners, which have fallen from 95.2 percent during the 2019-2020 school year to 92.4 percent in the 2025-2026 school year. The confirmed cases to date in 2026 have more than doubled the 2,289 cases reported in 2025.
In a related development, four deaths due to measles have been reported in 2026, according to CDC figures. This count conflicts with state reports, particularly from Pennsylvania, which has documented six measles-related deaths and 1,487 cases this year. This discrepancy has sparked a dispute between Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. regarding the classification of measles-related deaths.
Pennsylvania’s Department of Health defines “measles-associated” deaths as those occurring within 30 days of a confirmed measles diagnosis, unless an unrelated cause is identified. In August, the state reported two unvaccinated individuals died from the disease. Initially, these deaths were included in the federal count, but the CDC later removed them following questions about their relation to measles.
The CDC is currently collaborating with the U.S. Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists to standardize criteria for measuring measles deaths. Experts warn that the ongoing dispute over death classification may undermine established methods of tracking the disease’s impacts.
Epidemiologists emphasize that the classification of “measles-associated” deaths has historically been in line with practices established by the World Health Organization and the CDC.
The U.S. declared measles eliminated over two decades ago. However, reports indicate that measles cases are rising globally, particularly in communities where vaccination skepticism exists or healthcare access is lacking. Health experts caution that declining vaccination rates in one region can have far-reaching consequences, making measles prevention a shared responsibility across the globe.
