US reports highest number of measles cases in 35 years
· Medical Xpressedited by Andrew Zinin
Andrew Zinin
Chief Editor
Meet our editorial team
Behind our editorial process
Editors' notes
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:
fact-checked
reputable news agency
proofread
The GIST Add to Preferred Sources
The United States has recorded more than 5,000 cases of measles this year, the highest number in 35 years, according to an official count released Friday.
So far in 2026, 5,182 confirmed cases of the highly contagious but highly preventable disease have been reported across the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the nation's leading public health agency.
That compares with 2,289 cases during all of 2025 and is the highest level recorded by the CDC since 1991.
State health officials have reported at least eight measles-related deaths, including among very young children.
Pediatrician Adam Ratner, who specializes in infectious disease, told AFP such deaths are "tragic, and they are completely preventable."
Measles was declared eradicated from the United States in 2000 thanks to vaccination, but in recent years it has made a strong comeback, fueled by declining vaccination rates and growing public distrust of health authorities.
President Donald Trump's Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. is accused of fanning that distrust. He is known for his vaccine skepticism and has repeatedly disseminated misinformation about the measles vaccine and downplayed the dangers of the disease.
"Kennedy does not believe that measles is a big problem and does not want to believe that there are deaths from measles," Ratner said.
"The burden of these diseases will fall on children, who are not the ones who are making these decisions."
Measles causes fever, respiratory symptoms and a rash, and in some cases more serious complications such as pneumonia and brain inflammation, which can lead to severe long-term health problems or even death.
Before the vaccine was developed in the early 1960s, measles killed hundreds of children each year across the U.S. It continues to claim tens of thousands of lives worldwide.
Key medical concepts
Clinical categories
Infectious diseasesCommon illnesses & PreventionPediatricsChildren's healthPreventive medicine Who's behind this story?
Andrew Zinin
Master's in physics with research experience. Long-time science news enthusiast. Plays key role in Science X's editorial success. Full profile →
© 2026 AFP
Citation: US reports highest number of measles cases in 35 years (2026, November 7) retrieved 7 November 2026 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-11-highest-measles-cases-years.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.