United States measles cases reach 30-year high amid political dispute

measles outbreak vaccination rates public health controversy CDC United States

The United States is experiencing a significant surge in measles cases, reaching its highest levels in over three decades. As of late August 2026, the CDC has recorded 2,903 confirmed cases, surpassing the total for all of 2025. This rise has placed the country at risk of losing its official measles elimination status.

In Pennsylvania, health officials reported the first two measles-related deaths in 35 years, occurring in Lancaster County. Both victims were unvaccinated. This development has sparked a political dispute between Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy reportedly requested that the CDC remove these two deaths from its official count, leading to accusations of politicizing a public health crisis.

Other states are also seeing increases, including Georgia, which has reported 13 cases as of September 1, with outbreaks linked to daycare settings. Health experts attribute the rising numbers to declining vaccination rates, noting that approximately 94 percent of cases occur among unvaccinated individuals.

Separately, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has raised concerns regarding maternal vaccination coverage in the Americas, noting that in 2025, half of the region's countries reported influenza vaccination rates for pregnant women at 61 percent or lower.

Entities

Americas · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · Georgia · Josh Shapiro · Mexico · Ministry of Health of Chile · Pan American Health Organization · Pennsylvania · Peru · Robert F. Kennedy Jr. · United States

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] The Pan American Health Organization has urged countries in the Americas to strengthen vaccination and epidemiological surveillance. www.eschaco.com · www.sitiosespana.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] As of July 18, 2026, the region reported 47,459 confirmed measles cases across 16 countries and one territory. www.eschaco.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Peru is facing an active outbreak with more than 1,700 confirmed measles cases. radioallen.cl
[○ 1 SOURCE] In July 2026, the Chilean Ministry of Health reported that over 140,000 children under six have incomplete MMR vaccine schedules. radioallen.cl
[○ 1 SOURCE] Chile launched the 'Chile contra el sarampión' strategy to actively seek out children with pending vaccine doses. radioallen.cl
[○ 1 SOURCE] There have been 44 deaths recorded in three countries related to the measles cases. www.eschaco.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Guatemala, Mexico, the United States, and Peru account for 95% of confirmed measles cases this year. www.eschaco.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Bolivia has recorded approximately 673 measles cases. radioallen.cl
[● 3 SOURCES] The U.S. has recorded its highest number of measles cases in over three decades during 2026. offthepress.com · ct24.ceskatelevize.cz · majicatl.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Georgia reported 13 measles cases as of September 1, 2026. majicatl.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The United States recorded 2,903 confirmed measles cases as of August 27, 2026. majicatl.com · ct24.ceskatelevize.cz
[○ 1 SOURCE] In 2025, half of the countries in the Americas reported influenza vaccination coverage in pregnant women at 61% or less. www.sitiosespana.com