There are already more US measles cases this year than in all of 2025

The U.S. has recorded 2,318 measles cases in 2026 as of Thursday, surpassing the 2025 total of 2,289 cases. Major outbreaks in South Carolina, Utah, and Arizona have contributed to 2026 becoming the worst year for measles since 1991. Declining vaccination rates, now at 92.5% among kindergartners, have exacerbated undercounted spread, with experts suggesting outbreaks may be three to four times larger than reported.