CDC reports 1,983 measles cases and 30 outbreaks so far in 2026

The CDC updated the national measles page on May 29, reporting 1,983 confirmed US measles cases as of May 28, 2026, including 1,974 cases among residents across 40 jurisdictions and 9 among international visitors. The CDC reported 30 new outbreaks in 2026 and said 93% of confirmed cases (1,847 of 1,983) were outbreak-associated (517 from outbreaks starting in 2026 and 1,330 from outbreaks that started in 2025). For the full year of 2025, a total of 2,288 confirmed measles cases were reported including 2,263 cases among residents across 45 jurisdictions and 25 cases reported among international visitors to the US. There were 48 reported outbreaks in 2025 and 90% of confirmed cases (2,065 of 2,288) were outbreak-associated. For comparison, 16 outbreaks were reported during 2024 and 69% of cases (198 of 285) were outbreak associated. 

According to the CDC when more than 95% of people in a community are vaccinated (coverage >95%), most people are protected through community immunity (herd immunity). However, vaccination coverage among U.S. kindergartners has decreased from 95.2% during the 2019–2020 school year to 92.5% in the 2024–2025 school year, leaving approximately 286,000 kindergartners at risk during the 2024–2025 school year.

The CDC emphasizes that state and local health departments have the most current outbreak information and that even at local levels, vaccine coverage rates may vary considerably and pockets of unvaccinated people can exist in states with high vaccination coverage. For clinicians, the CDC update provides current information on measles activity and reinforces awareness of existing public health guidance related to case identification, reporting, and infection-control practices. 

Source(s): CDC Measles page.