United States measles cases reach 35‑year high
U.S. health officials report a sharp resurgence of measles, with 2,318 confirmed cases recorded in 2026, surpassing the 2,289 cases reported in 2025 and marking the highest annual total in 35 years. The outbreak has been especially pronounced in South Carolina, where at least 997 cases have been confirmed, and has led to 151 hospitalizations, including 45 children under five, and three measles‑related deaths.
Public health experts attribute the spike to declining vaccination rates that fall below the 95 % herd‑immunity threshold needed to prevent spread. In response, biotech researchers are accelerating work on monoclonal‑antibody therapies that could temporarily protect infants, immunocompromised individuals, and other high‑risk groups while vaccine coverage is restored.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to monitor the situation, emphasizing the importance of routine immunization to curb further transmission.
Entities: Biotech researchers · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) · South Carolina · United States
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] U.S. measles vaccination rates have fallen below the 95 % herd‑immunity threshold needed to prevent spread. (Public health analysis)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] There have been 151 hospitalizations from measles this year, including 45 children under age five. (CDC data)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Three measles‑related deaths occurred in the United States last year. (CDC data)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The United States recorded 2,289 measles cases in 2025, the previous record high. (CDC data)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] South Carolina recorded at least 997 confirmed measles cases during the outbreak. (CDC data)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Monoclonal‑antibody therapies are being developed to provide temporary protection for infants and immunocompromised people during the measles outbreak. (Biotech research reports)
- [● 2 SOURCES] U.S. measles cases reached a 35‑year high in 2026 with 2,318 confirmed infections. (CDC data)