The CDC has confirmed 94 new measles infections, bringing the U.S. total for the year to 2,465. CIDRAP has the news.
These numbers move the U.S. further toward losing its measles elimination status this year. Elimination status was granted to the U.S. in 2000, but there have now been consecutive years of over 2,200 measles cases logged. This year’s total is the highest since 1991.
Noah Brewster, who chairs the CDC committee responsible for determining elimination status, said that the data are “public and show a runaway train.” He highlighted an outbreak in Utah that “apparently has gone on for more than 12 months, the main criterion for loss of elimination.” Experts will also assess whole-genome sequencing data collected by the CDC, which helps to identify unbroken chains of transmission.
The CDC notes 38 outbreaks have happened so far this year. Last year, there were 48. 20% of cases in 2026 involve children age 5 and under, and 68% involve patients under 20. 93% of measles patients are unvaccinated or have unknown vaccine status. No deaths have been reported from the disease so far this year.
Pennsylvania is the current epicenter for measles cases, reporting 57 new cases last week, adding up to 226 for the year.
