Measles, whooping cough spike amid low vaccination rates

Measles and whooping cough cases are surging in the U.S. due to low vaccination rates and vaccine hesitancy, with 12 states and D.C. reporting more measles cases halfway through 2026 than in all of 2025. South Carolina and Utah have seen the largest outbreaks, driven by low vaccination rates and religious exemptions, while federal funding cuts to public health complicate containment efforts.