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US Measles Cases Hit 3,887 in 2026, Worst Since 1991
Becker's Hospital Review reports that CDC-confirmed measles cases reached 3,887 across 47 jurisdictions as of Oct. 1, 2026, surpassing all of 2025's total and marking the worst year since 1991. Pennsylvania leads the nation with 1,004 cases and five deaths, while Wisconsin, Ohio, and Kentucky outbreaks continue to grow; South Carolina, Utah, and Arizona outbreaks have ended. About 95% of cases are outbreak-associated and unvaccinated or of unknown vaccination status, with roughly 9% hospitalized. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a disaster emergency Oct. 5 expanding vaccine administration authority to pharmacists, paramedics, and midwives, and the Pan American Health Organization will review U.S. measles elimination status in November.
Why it mattersState Medicaid agencies and MCOs covering pediatric and rural populations face rising costs for outbreak response, emergency vaccination campaigns, and hospitalizations tied to under-immunized communities.