US close to a thousand measles cases so far this year

As of Feb. 19, CDC reported 982 confirmed measles cases across the United States. Of these cases, 976 cases were in U.S. residents in 26 states, and six were in international visitors to the country. Currently, the number of measles cases recorded in the first two months of 2026 is four times higher than the number of cases recorded during the same time last year.  

Over 75% of measles cases in the United States have been in people under the age of 19, with 59% of cases occurring in children ages five to 19. Over 90% of cases have also been in unvaccinated individuals. Of the total cases, 38, or 4%, have resulted in hospitalizations. There have not yet been any U.S. deaths associated with measles this year. Last year, there were three reported measles deaths.

South Carolina continues to report the largest number of measles cases, with CDC data showing 632 confirmed cases through Feb. 19. Utah has the next highest number of measles cases with 117, followed by Florida with 64. 

As measles cases continue to increase, public health experts are encouraging people to get vaccinated. In an interview with CNN earlier this month, CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz promoted the MMR vaccine amid ongoing outbreaks.

"Take the vaccine, please," Oz said. "We have a solution for our problem. Not all illnesses are equally dangerous, and not all people are equally susceptible to those illnesses. But measles is one you should get your vaccine [for]."

As measles continues to spread across the country, infectious disease experts and doctors have called out a lack of communication and guidance from federal health agencies. Under the Trump administration, CDC has been less communicative about outbreak responses, healthcare workers said.  

"We certainly do not feel the support or guidance from the CDC right now," said Brigette Fogleman, a pediatrician at Asheville Children's Medical Center.

"When you are at the highest level of measles cases in 30 years, we should be seeing lots more from our federal government," Stinchfield said, noting that CDC has not promoted any public health initiatives or awareness campaigns about measles. "And I think it's harming kids and causing an inordinate amount of work and expense that really doesn't belong in healthcare right now."

In response to how CDC is supporting healthcare organizations amid ongoing measles outbreaks, Andrew Nixon, an agency spokesperson, said "state and local health departments have the lead in investigating measles cases and outbreaks" and that CDC provides support "as requested." He also highlighted several guides and simulation tools the agency developed as the virus spread.

Currently, state health officials and hospital leaders are developing their own protocols for addressing this resurgence of measles. For example, Asheville Children's Medical Center screens patients over the phone and in the car before visits to reduce the risk of measles spreading. Health experts are also urging families to get their children vaccinated and debunking any vaccine misinformation.

"As measles becomes more common, all of us are leveling up in our ability to recognize and immediately respond to suspected measles," Flynn said.