The US has recorded 4,588 confirmed measles cases this year, with Pennsylvania accounting for more than 1,300 as officials urge unvaccinated people to get the MMR jab.
The United States is facing its worst measles resurgence in decades, with official data showing the number of cases this year has already climbed well past last year’s total. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said there had been 4,588 confirmed cases nationwide as of October 23, and that 96% of patients were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status. Public health officials continue to stress that the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, known as MMR, remains the best protection, with two doses about 97% effective.
Pennsylvania has emerged as the centre of the outbreak, with state health officials reporting 1,338 confirmed cases across 44 counties as of October 23. The state said 21 new cases were recorded as of October 21, while more than 250 people have been hospitalised and five have died. In Lancaster and Mifflin counties, where vaccination rates are lower in some Amish communities, health authorities say the virus has hit especially hard.
The outbreak has intensified over the month. Pennsylvania had reported 1,222 cases across 42 counties on October 14, underscoring how quickly the disease continues to spread despite public health warnings. State health officials have said they are monitoring the situation through a live dashboard and urging residents, particularly those who are not fully vaccinated, to get protected as soon as possible.
Officials in other states have also moved to contain the disease. New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a disaster emergency earlier this month after cases rose there, while Utah has reported more than 700 cases this year, though state officials say no new diagnoses have been recorded in three weeks. South Carolina, which battled an outbreak earlier in the year, has logged at least 997 cases in 2026, according to state health data.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
