Trending Now - Measles Threat Grows as Silent Spread Detected in U.S.

WHO:

CNN - Dr. Annie Wang, an Epidemic Intelligence Service officer assigned to Arizona’s Pima County Health Department.

CNN - Dr. Jeffrey Tamucci, an EIS officer assigned to the Oregon Public Health Authority.

CNN - Dr. Noel Brewer, a distinguished professor of public health at the University of North Carolina.

ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4 - Andrew Cox, director and health officer of Macomb County Health and Community Services.

WHAT:

CNN - The measles outbreak in Arizona and Utah has grown to more than 600 reported cases.

CNN - The number of reported measles cases in the US jumped to 2,267 in 2025, the highest total in over three decades.

CNN - More than 1,700 measles cases have been reported in the first four months of 2026.

ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4 - A measles case has been confirmed in Macomb County, Michigan, on April 23rd, 2026.

WHERE:

CNN - The outbreak is primarily affecting communities in Arizona and Utah, particularly a tightly knit community spanning the border of northern Arizona and southern Utah.

CNN - The measles case in Macomb County is the first reported case in Michigan for 2026.

CNN - The EIS investigation in Oregon monitored 24 counties for measles in wastewater.

WHEN:

CNN - The outbreak in Arizona and Utah began with reports in June 2025 and the first official case was reported on August 8th, 2025.

CNN - The CDC's meeting to determine the US measles elimination status is set for November 2026.

ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4 - The confirmed measles case in Macomb County was reported on April 23rd, 2026.

WHY:

CNN - The outbreak is linked to communities that have turned away from vaccination, influenced by misinformation and distrust in public health officials.

CNN - The measles virus is highly contagious, spreading through the air and requiring over 95% vaccination coverage to prevent outbreaks.

HOW:

CNN - The CDC is using molecular evidence and genomic sequencing to trace the origins and size of the outbreak.

CNN - The EIS investigation in Oregon detected measles in wastewater samples, indicating a higher prevalence than reported cases.

ClickOnDetroit | WDIV Local 4 - Health officials are notifying individuals who may have been exposed to the confirmed measles case.

(UPDATED April 24, 2026 13:21 UTC)

The measles outbreak in Arizona and Utah has escalated to over 600 reported cases, with more than 1,700 cases already recorded in the first four months of 2026, marking the highest total in over three decades. A confirmed measles case was reported in Macomb County, Michigan, on Thursday, making it the first case in the state for this year, while health officials are actively notifying those who may have been exposed. The outbreak is largely attributed to communities that have opted out of vaccinations due to misinformation and distrust in public health, prompting the CDC to employ genomic sequencing and wastewater monitoring to better understand the situation.