U.S. measles cases hit 35-year record in 2026 at more than 2,300 confirmed cases

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday that the United States has logged 2,318 measles cases in the first seven months of this year, surpassing last year’s total of 2,289.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday that the United States has logged 2,318 measles cases in the first seven months of this year, surpassing last year’s total of 2,289.

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It’s the largest number of measles cases the U.S. has seen in 35 years, and comes amid a decadeslong slide in childhood vaccination rates. The majority of infected people — 93%, according to the CDC — are unvaccinated.

“We have joined the rank of countries where vaccination is not reaching the levels needed to protect all of our children against some of the most contagious diseases,” said Dr. Richard Besser, a pediatrician and president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. When vaccine levels dip, measles is usually the first vaccine-preventable disease to rise because it’s by far the most contagious.