The latest CDC numbers show a 6.2% increase of measles cases from week-to-week. Last week there was a 5.4% increase in cases showing a continuing steady increase dictated by ongoing outbreaks across the US.
Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported there were 3887* cases of measles in the US as of October 1, 2026. Week-over-week, this is an additional 228 cases and a 6.2% increase. Last week, the federal agency reported there were 3,659* confirmed cases.1
CDC said there were 3,869 measles cases were reported by 47 jurisdictions: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. A total of 18 measles cases were reported among international visitors to the United States.1
The federal agency reports there have been 42 new outbreaks** reported in 2026, and 95% of confirmed cases (3,700 of 3,887) are outbreak-associated (2,316 from outbreaks in 2026 and 1,384 from outbreaks originating in 2025).1
Younger clinicians may not have treated patients with measles. And for those who are unfamiliar, check out
Handy says when patients are dehydrated or are having a hard time breathing, these are signs a hospitalization may be warranted.
“If the child has too much diarrhea that they can't keep up with their fluids, or they end up with measles-causing pneumonia, meaning irritation of the lungs that the child is breathing too hard to to be okay at home, that's when we want them to be in the hospital, where our supportive care is in the form of IV fluids, or respiratory support—maybe that's oxygen; maybe that's even a breathing tube,” Handy said. “And if we are really dealing with some of the most severe complications, like encephalitis, meaning essentially infection of the brain, then we definitely want them to be in the hospital where we can monitor that child's status and what support they may need.”
This week, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) reported to CDC that an unvaccinated resident of Lancaster County who tested positive for measles has died. There is no additional information about the patient. This marks the fifth person in the state and across the US who has died from the disease in 2026. As of September 30, the DOH was reporting 943 cases in 39 of the 67 counties.2 This means there were 108 new cases reported week over week, and a 12.9% increase during that period. The state says there has been 176 hospitalizations.2
*It is important to note that the CDC says on its website that the federal agency is aware of probable measles cases being reported by jurisdictions. However, the data on this page only include confirmed cases that jurisdictions notified the CDC about. Therefore, there could be higher numbers in the US overall.
**CDC reports the cumulative number of measles outbreaks (defined as 3 or more related cases) that have occurred this year in the US; states have the most up-to-date information about cases and outbreaks in their jurisdictions.
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