The CDC’s latest update reveals a surge in measles cases across 47 US jurisdictions, with ongoing review of two Pennsylvania deaths amid declining childhood vaccination rates and heightened transmission risks.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has raised its 2026 measles total to 2,903 confirmed cases, while leaving two Pennsylvania deaths out of the federal death tally for now as it reviews whether measles caused or contributed to them. The update, published on Sunday and current through August 27, makes clear that the national figure continues to rise even as officials still disagree over how to classify the deaths reported in Lancaster County.
Pennsylvania said last week that both deaths involved unvaccinated residents and were measles-associated. But the state and county accounts have not fully aligned. Lancaster County Coroner Stephen Diamantoni has said one newborn died from a lacerated spleen and massive blood loss, and that measles was not a contributing factor. The CDC said it is still examining the circumstances and will revise its count if new information warrants it.
The broader outbreak remains concentrated in a handful of places, but the disease is now present in 47 jurisdictions, according to the CDC. The agency says 94% of confirmed cases this year are linked to outbreaks, underscoring how quickly the virus spreads once it reaches pockets of under-vaccinated people. Pennsylvania has emerged as the most active outbreak state, while Utah, which had been the largest hotspot, has reported a lull in new cases. Georgia has also recorded recent transmission linked to a daycare.
The national picture is being shaped by falling childhood vaccination coverage. CDC data show MMR uptake among kindergartners dropped from 95.2% in the 2019-20 school year to 92.4% in 2025-26, leaving roughly 280,000 children without protection. That matters because measles is among the most contagious viruses known, and public health officials generally say coverage above 95% is needed to help stop sustained spread.
For families, the practical advice has not changed: check vaccination records, especially for children, pregnant people and anyone with a weakened immune system; seek medical guidance quickly after a known exposure; and call ahead before visiting a clinic if fever and rash develop. Two doses of MMR are highly effective, and health departments in outbreak areas have continued to offer no-cost vaccination clinics. What remains unresolved is whether the CDC will ultimately add the Pennsylvania deaths to its national count and whether the outbreak will keep pushing the US further above last year’s total of 2,289 cases.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
