US measles cases have risen by 178 in a week to 4,588, with Pennsylvania accounting for more than 1,300 infections and 251 hospital admissions.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Friday that measles cases in the country had climbed to 4,588 as of October 22, an increase of 178 from a week earlier, underscoring the persistence of the outbreak. The agency’s latest update shows that the surge remains concentrated in outbreak-linked transmission, with public health officials continuing to press vaccination as the main tool for prevention. According to the CDC’s measles data page, the agency had recorded 4,410 confirmed cases as of October 16 across 47 jurisdictions, with the vast majority tied to outbreaks.
Hospital admissions associated with measles have now reached 479 this year, the CDC said. The virus remains particularly dangerous for children, with the agency noting on its measles guidance page that the disease is highly contagious and can cause serious complications, especially in young children. The CDC also says the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella, is effective at preventing illness and limiting spread.
Pennsylvania has become a major focal point in the outbreak. State health officials said the commonwealth had 1,317 measles cases as of October 21, with 251 hospitalisations. In separate updates over the past week, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported 1,260 cases on October 16 and 1,286 on October 19, showing how quickly the count has continued to move. The state has also said it is working with federal health authorities as part of the response.
Deaths linked to the outbreak have also drawn scrutiny. The Pennsylvania health department has reported five measles-related deaths so far in 2026, while the CDC has confirmed three measles-associated deaths. On October 14, state officials said they were investigating a reported measles-associated death in Franklin County, highlighting the continuing severity of the outbreak as it spreads through multiple counties.
CDC data show that children and teenagers aged five to 19 make up the largest group of reported cases, with 1,914 infections, or 42% of the total. Adults aged 20 and older account for 1,881 cases, or 41%. The pattern suggests the outbreak has affected a broad age range rather than being confined to one group, while also reinforcing public health warnings that measles can spread rapidly in communities with gaps in vaccination coverage.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
