On Mar. 27, 2026, measles cases in the United States have climbed to 1,575, with 88 new infections, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported in its weekly update.

The CDC confirmed 2,285 measles cases for all of last year, the most since 1991. The United States could top that number this spring. The country will likely lose its measles elimination status—which it gained in 2000—in November, when officials assess the data. Measles is widely considered to be one of the world’s most contagious diseases. 

The CDC said all but nine of the 2026 cases are from 31 states and New York City, with the rest travel-related. Of all confirmed cases, 94% are associated with one of 16 outbreaks. Two of the outbreaks are new. The CDC defines an outbreak as three or more related cases. Last year, the country saw 48 outbreaks, many of which are still ongoing. The nation saw 16 outbreaks for all of 2024.

Of the 1,575 cases, 21% are in children younger than five years, and 73% involve children and young adults up to 19 years old. CDC data show that 92% of case-patients are unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccine status, with only 4% fully immunized with two measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine doses.

Seventy-eight cases (5%) have required hospital care, compared with 11% last year. No deaths have yet been attributed to measles in 2026 after three deaths in 2025. The CDC’s total includes only lab-confirmed cases. The agency said, “CDC is aware of probable measles cases being reported by jurisdictions,” so the actual case count could be even higher.

Texas has 23 new cases and 170 so far this year, according to the CDC measles map. Among those cases, at least 108 are in a federal detention facility managed by a private company in Hudspeth County. Yesterday the Texas Tribune reported that four El Paso residents who worked inside that facility are among the patients, potentially exposing the local population to the disease. Idaho now has 23 cases, one of which is new. Cases in North Dakota remain at 26, four of which required hospitalization.

The South Carolina Department of Public Health (SCDPH) for the second time this week confirmed no new measles cases, keeping the state’s total at 997 since October 2025. The SCDPH last confirmed a measles case on March 17 and could declare the outbreak over if it doesn’t record another case by April 26. The health department again reiterated, “Vaccination continues to be the best way to prevent measles and stop this outbreak.” Of the state’s cases, 940 (94%) have been in Spartanburg County in the Upstate region.