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As of March 12, 2026, 1,362 confirmed* measles cases were reported in the United States in 2026. Among these, 1,353 measles cases were reported by 31 jurisdictions: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. A total of 9 measles cases were reported among international visitors to the United States.
There have been 14 new outbreaks** reported in 2026, and 94% of confirmed cases (1,281 of 1,362) are outbreak-associated (256 from outbreaks starting in 2026 and 1,025 from outbreaks that started in 2025).
For the full year of 2025, a total of 2,284 confirmed* measles cases were reported in the United States. Among these, 2,259 measles cases were reported by 45 jurisdictions: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. A total of 25 measles cases were reported among international visitors to the United States.
There were 48 outbreaks** reported in 2025, and 90% of confirmed cases (2,062 of 2,284) were outbreak-associated. For comparison, 16 outbreaks were reported during 2024 and 69% of cases (198 of 285) were outbreak-associated.
*CDC is aware of probable measles cases being reported by jurisdictions. However, the data on this page only includes confirmed cases jurisdictions have notified to CDC.
**CDC reports the cumulative number of measles outbreaks (defined as 3 or more related cases) that have occurred this year in the U.S.; states have the most up-to-date information about cases and outbreaks in their jurisdictions.
Find more real-time updates of measles cases reported by:
To date
Full year
Note: The total number of cases includes cases among international visitors to the U.S.
2022–2026* (as of March 12, 2026)
*2025–2026 case counts are preliminary and subject to change.
as of March 12, 2026
as of March 12, 2026
*2025–2026 case counts are preliminary and subject to change.
The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is very safe and effective. When more than 95% of people in a community are vaccinated (coverage >95%), most people are protected through community immunity (herd immunity). However, vaccination coverage among U.S. kindergartners has decreased from 95.2% during the 2019–2020 school year to 92.5% in the 2024–2025 school year, leaving approximately 286,000 kindergartners at risk during the 2024–2025 school year. To dive into vaccine coverage data for MMR, visit VaxView.
At local levels, vaccine coverage rates may vary considerably, and pockets of unvaccinated people can exist in states with high vaccination coverage. When measles gets into communities of unvaccinated people in the United States, outbreaks can occur.
State, local, tribal, and territorial health departments lead measles case and outbreak investigations. States notify CDC of measles cases reported in their jurisdictions and may request appropriate assistance from CDC to help with their investigations.
On this page CDC publishes:
State jurisdictions and CDC publicly report measles cases on their respective websites on different schedules. CDC is aware of probable measles cases being reported by jurisdictions, but updates on this webpage reflect only confirmed measles cases notified to CDC as of noon on Thursdays. States may report three or more linked cases in their state as an outbreak, but CDC may not report it as a distinct outbreak if these cases are associated with a previously reported outbreak.
CDC publishes the cumulative number of measles outbreaks, defined as 3 or more related cases, that have occurred in the United States. Some states may have had multiple measles outbreaks, and a single reported multistate outbreak may have related cases reported in several states. States have the most up-to-date information about cases and ongoing outbreaks in their jurisdictions.
Measles is very contagious. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. You can get measles just by being in a room where a person with measles has been. While measles has been eliminated in the United States since 2000, it is still common in many parts of the world.
Every year, measles is brought into the United States by travelers who get measles while they are in other countries. Travelers who are infected with measles can bring it back to the United States and spread it to other people who are not protected. These travelers are usually unvaccinated U.S. residents who travel internationally. Far less frequently, they are international visitors. Few cases this year have been reported among international visitors.
A measles outbreak is defined as 3 or more related cases. Most outbreaks in the United States are small, comprised of 6 people or fewer, usually within a household. When measles gets into a community that has lower vaccination rates it can spread quickly, causing larger outbreaks.
Two doses of MMR vaccine are 97% effective at preventing measles, 1 dose is 93% effective. It is uncommon for someone who is vaccinated to develop measles. However, breakthrough infections (when someone becomes infected after they have been vaccinated) can occur, especially in communities experiencing an outbreak where high levels of measles virus are circulating. The number of breakthrough infections is consistent with what we have seen in previous years (approximately 10% of all measles infections).
CDC is creating models to show how measles outbreaks could occur and spread in the United States. These models can be used to help health departments better identify communities at highest risk and manage healthcare resources.
Measles is an extremely infectious, and potentially severe rash illness. Before the measles vaccine was introduced, an estimated 48,000 people were hospitalized and 400–500 people died in the United States each year.
The best way to protect yourself against measles is with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Talk to your healthcare provider about vaccination, especially if planning to travel.
Measles was officially eliminated from the United States in 2000, meaning there is no measles spreading within the country and new cases are only found when someone contracts measles abroad and returns to the country. Achieving measles elimination status in the United States was a historic public health achievement. The below figure illustrates how common measles was before vaccines and how vaccine policy enabled elimination.
As of December 31, 2024, a total of 285 measles cases were reported in the U.S. Among these, 269 of the measles cases were reported by 32 jurisdictions: Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. A total of 16 measles cases were reported among international visitors to the U.S.
There have been 16 outbreaks (defined as 3 or more related cases) reported in 2024, and 69% of cases (198 of 285) are outbreak-associated. For comparison, 4 outbreaks were reported during 2023 and 49% of cases (29 of 59) were outbreak-associated.
Total cases
40% of cases hospitalized (114 of 285) for isolation or for management of measles complications.
From January 1 to December 31, 2023, a total of 59 measles cases were reported by 20 jurisdictions: California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, New Jersey, New York City, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
*Jurisdictions refer to any of the 50 states, New York City, and the District of Columbia.
From January 1 to December 31, 2022, a total of 121 measles cases were reported by 6 jurisdictions. *
For more information, please see the following report:
*Jurisdictions refer to any of the 50 states, New York City, and the District of Columbia.
From January 1 to December 31, 2021, a total of 49 measles cases were reported by 5 jurisdictions. *
For more information, please see the following report:
*Jurisdictions refer to any of the 50 states, New York City, and the District of Columbia.
From January 1 to December 31, 2020, 13 individual cases of measles were confirmed in 8 jurisdictions.*
*Jurisdictions refer to any of the 50 states, New York City, and the District of Columbia.
From January 1 to December 31, 2019, 1,274 individual cases of measles were confirmed in 31 states.
The majority of cases were among people who were not vaccinated against measles. Measles is more likely to spread and cause outbreaks in U.S. communities where groups of people are unvaccinated.
For more information, please see the following reports:
*Jurisdictions refer to any of the 50 states, New York City, and the District of Columbia.
From January 1 to December 31, 2018, 381 individual cases of measles were confirmed in 28 jurisdictions.*
*Jurisdictions refer to any of the 50 states, New York City, and the District of Columbia.
For more information, please see the following report:
*Jurisdictions refer to any of the 50 states, New York City, and the District of Columbia.
For more information please see the following reports:
*Jurisdictions refer to any of the 50 states, New York City, and the District of Columbia.
For more information please see the following reports:
*Jurisdictions refer to any of the 50 states, New York City, and the District of Columbia.
For more information please see the following reports:
*Jurisdictions refer to any of the 50 states, New York City, and the District of Columbia.
For more information please see the following reports:
*Jurisdictions refer to any of the 50 states, New York City, and the District of Columbia.
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases and can be dangerous in babies and young children. The best protection against measles is the MMR vaccine.
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