US measles cases top 5,000 in 2026
Health · First reported 6 Nov, 21:24 · Updated 21:49
The CDC reported 5,182 confirmed US measles cases in 2026, the highest annual figure it has reported since 1991. Coverage focuses on the case surge, deaths reported by state and federal authorities, and declining vaccination coverage.
- The CDC reported 5,182 confirmed measles cases in the US in 2026, more than double the 2,289 recorded in 2025 and the highest figure it has reported since 1991.
- Children and teenagers accounted for about 59 percent of confirmed cases, according to the CDC data cited by Al Jazeera.
- The reported death tolls differ: the CDC count cited by Al Jazeera was four, Pennsylvania reported six deaths, and state authorities were reported by Euronews to have recorded at least eight measles-related deaths nationwide.
- Al Jazeera reports that US kindergarten vaccination coverage fell from 95.2 percent in the 2019–2020 school year to 92.4 percent in 2025–2026.
- The CDC is working with a public health association to establish a standard definition for measles deaths, amid disagreement over how deaths should be classified.
Summary written by Lux AI from 4 articles
Key facts
- CDC-confirmed cases in 2026
- 5,182
- Previous-year cases
- 2,289 in 2025
- CDC-reported deaths
- Four, according to Al Jazeera's account of CDC data
- State-reported deaths
- At least eight nationwide, according to Euronews
- Children and teenagers' share of cases
- About 59 percent
Source spectrum
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Left
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Centre
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Right
Far right
Left 2 · Centre 2 · Right 0 of 4 rated sources
Background
All coverage
Coverage over time
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Articles per hour since first reported, by side.
Ownership
- Corporation 50% (2)
- Government 25% (1)
- Non-profit 25% (1)
Share of the 4 sources by owner type.