US measles cases top 5,000, highest annual count in 35 years

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 5,182 measles cases nationwide this year, the highest annual total in 35 years, with 43 new outbreaks.

• The CDC reported 562 measles hospitalizations this year, about 11% of all recorded cases.
• CDC data showed unvaccinated people, or those with unknown vaccination status, accounted for 96% of cases.
• Pennsylvania reported its sixth measles-related death this year earlier in the week; New York and Wisconsin each reported one.
• The CDC recorded four measles-related deaths nationwide in 2026, up from three in 2025.