(NewsNation) — With five months still remaining in 2026, measles cases in the United States have already surpassed last year’s total and reached their highest level since the disease was declared eliminated nearly 30 years ago
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that, as of July 23, 2,318 measles cases linked to 35 outbreaks had been reported across 43 states and Washington, D.C., since the start of 2026. At least 151 people have been hospitalized
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The vast majority of cases, about 93%, occurred in unvaccinated individuals, and nearly 69% involved children and teens ages 19 and younger. No deaths have been reported
For all of 2025, there were 2,289 confirmed measles cases. Of those, 2,263 were reported among residents in 45 states, while 26 cases involved international visitors
In November, international health officials are expected to determine whether the United States and Mexico have lost their measles-free status
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