Measles Cases Surge in 2026, Outpacing Previous Year’s High
WHO:
Fast Company - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported measles cases.
Fast Company - South Carolina, Utah, Arizona, Florida, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia are states with reported infections.
WHAT:
Wired - Researchers are developing drugs to help those who contract measles or are particularly vulnerable due to the rising number of cases.
Fast Company - Confirmed measles cases have climbed to 2,318 in 2026.
Fast Company - The CDC reported 2,289 confirmed cases for all of 2025.
Fast Company - This year's total of 2,318 is a 35-year high.
Fast Company - 35 new outbreaks have been reported in 2026.
Fast Company - 2,302 of the 2,318 confirmed cases have been reported across 45 U.S. jurisdictions.
Fast Company - 93% of cases this year have been in unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status.
Fast Company - South Carolina has the most reported infections with 670 confirmed cases, followed by Utah with 522 cases.
WHERE:
Fast Company - The outbreaks have been reported across 45 U.S. jurisdictions.
Fast Company - South Carolina and Utah are specifically mentioned as states with high case counts.
WHEN:
Fast Company - The CDC data is as of July 23, 2026.
WHY:
Vox - Experts warn that the United States could lose its measles elimination status, which was achieved in 2000.
Fast Company - Growing skepticism and declining childhood vaccination rates have fueled the recent surge in outbreaks.
Fast Company - Coverage among U.S. kindergarteners has decreased from 95.2% in the 2019-2020 school year to 92.5% in 2024-2025.
HOW:
Fast Company - The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and effective, with two doses offering about 97% effectiveness at preventing measles.
Fast Company - Measles is highly contagious and can be transmitted through respiratory droplets or contaminated surfaces.
(UPDATED July 27, 2026 22:24 UTC)
Researchers are working on new drugs aimed at helping individuals who contract measles, especially those who are particularly vulnerable due to an increase in cases. Experts are sounding the alarm that the United States may be at risk of losing its measles elimination status, a milestone that was achieved back in 2000. This development highlights the growing concern over the resurgence of this contagious disease.
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(UPDATED July 27, 2026 17:34 UTC)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported a significant rise in measles cases, with 2,318 confirmed infections in 2026, marking a 35-year high. The majority of these cases, about 93 percent, have occurred in unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status, and South Carolina leads the states with 670 confirmed cases, followed closely by Utah with 522. This surge in outbreaks is attributed to growing skepticism and declining vaccination rates, as coverage among U.S. kindergarteners has dropped from 95.2 percent in the 2019-2020 school year to 92.5 percent in 2024-2025.