US measles cases hit 35-year high in 2026 as child deaths reported

In brief

• The US recorded 5,182 measles cases in 2026, the highest count since 1991.
• At least eight measles deaths have been linked to the outbreak, including young children.
• National vaccination coverage has reportedly fallen below 95 percent.

Highest measles count since 1991

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 5,182 confirmed measles cases in the United States in 2026 (Niechlubny rekord od 35 lat. Wśród ofiar małe dzieci – fakt.pl) (Tak źle nie było od 35 lat. Rekord zakażeń w USA, rośnie liczba ofiar – interia.pl) (Rośnie liczba przypadków odry w USA. Najwięcej zachorowań od 30 lat – Polsat News). That is more than double the 2,289 cases recorded across 2025, and the highest figure the agency has published since 1991.

Child deaths in several states

Among the victims are very young children. On Friday, health officials in Wisconsin said a baby infected with measles had died there, the first measles death recorded in the state since 1990. New York authorities also reported a measles death, the first in that state in 30 years, involving a child.

Vaccination rates slipping

The United States declared measles eliminated in 2000 thanks to widespread vaccination. Health authorities say national vaccination coverage has dropped below 95 percent, the level generally considered necessary to prevent outbreaks of the virus. Reporting from AFP links the resurgence to growing public distrust of the health system and of vaccines.

What comes next

Measles is highly contagious, but it can be prevented with vaccination. Health authorities typically respond to outbreaks with vaccination drives and case tracing, and the coming months will show whether the current surge continues.