US Measles Outbreak 2026 Reaches 35‑Year High

The United States is experiencing a sharp rise in measles cases in 2026. The CDC reported 2,260 confirmed infections across 44 states and jurisdictions as of July 16, with the total expected to exceed the 2025 record of 2,289 cases – the highest annual count in 35 years. Most cases (93%) are linked to outbreaks, largely among unvaccinated individuals, and the largest cluster is in Utah with over 400 cases.

Local spikes include 25 cases in Maricopa County, Arizona, tied to exposures at venues such as Chase Field and the Chandler Fashion Center, and Delaware’s first confirmed measles case in more than a decade, involving an unvaccinated adult male. No deaths have been reported in 2026, but health officials warn that summer travel and crowded venues could fuel further spread. The CDC urges the public to verify vaccination status and monitor for symptoms.