Measles Cases Surge Across the United States
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention escalated its response to the growing measles outbreak on Wednesday, issuing an official travel health advisory and activating its Emergency Operations Center for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic for a measles response.
As of April 1, 2026, a total of 743 confirmed measles cases have been reported across 15 states — already surpassing the full-year total for 2025 and making this the worst measles year in the United States since 2019, when 1,274 cases were recorded.
Which States Are Affected?
The outbreak has been confirmed in the following states, with case counts as of the most recent CDC update:
- Texas: 187 cases (largest cluster, centered in Houston metro area)
- Florida: 134 cases
- Ohio: 89 cases
- California: 72 cases
- Georgia: 54 cases
- Tennessee: 41 cases
- Arizona, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, and Virginia: Combined 166 cases
Genomic sequencing has identified the predominant strain as D8, which is also circulating widely in parts of Africa and Southeast Asia, suggesting multiple importation events.
Declining Vaccination Rates Are the Root Cause
Public health experts point to a single, clear driver: declining MMR vaccination rates. National coverage for the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine among kindergartners has dropped from 95% in 2019 to 91.2% in the 2025-2026 school year, according to CDC data. In some communities, rates have fallen below 80%.
"Measles is the canary in the coal mine for vaccine coverage. When rates drop even a few percentage points below the herd-immunity threshold of 95%, outbreaks become inevitable," said Dr. Mandy Cohen, CDC Director.
The decline has been fueled by a combination of vaccine hesitancy amplified on social media, state-level expansions of non-medical exemptions for school vaccination requirements, and lingering distrust of public health institutions following the pandemic.
Travel Advisory Details
The CDC's travel advisory recommends that all travelers ensure they are up to date on MMR vaccination before domestic and international travel. Specifically:
- Children 6-11 months old traveling internationally should receive an early dose of MMR
- Adults born after 1957 who lack evidence of immunity should receive at least one dose
- Healthcare workers should have documentation of two doses regardless of birth year
The advisory also flags several international destinations with active outbreaks, including the United Kingdom, Pakistan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Symptoms and Complications
Measles typically begins with high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, followed by a characteristic rash that spreads from the face to the rest of the body. While many cases resolve on their own, measles can cause serious complications including pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling), and death — particularly in children under 5, pregnant women, and immunocompromised individuals.
Of the 743 cases reported so far in 2026, 127 patients have been hospitalized (17% hospitalization rate), and one infant death has been confirmed in Texas.
What You Should Do
Check your vaccination records. If you are unsure whether you have been vaccinated, a simple blood test can check for measles antibodies. The MMR vaccine is safe, highly effective (97% after two doses), and available at most pharmacies and primary-care offices.
If you suspect you or your child has measles, call your healthcare provider before visiting the office to prevent potential exposure to other patients. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known — one infected person can spread it to 9 out of 10 unvaccinated close contacts.
