CDC reports 416 measles cases in the U.S. so far in 2026, most tied to ongoing outbreaks

Case count rises, outbreaks continue to drive spread

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that as of January 22, 2026, there were 416 confirmed measles cases in the United States in 2026. The agency’s update notes that most cases are outbreak-associated and tied to outbreaks that began in 2025, rather than newly declared outbreaks starting in 2026.

According to the CDC, cases were reported by 14 jurisdictions and included a small number of infections among international visitors. The agency emphasized that 2025–2026 counts are preliminary and may change as investigations are completed and reports are reconciled.

Why vaccination levels matter right now

The CDC highlighted that the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is safe and effective, and that community protection is strongest when coverage exceeds 95%. The agency reported that U.S. kindergarten MMR coverage declined from 95.2% in the 2019–2020 school year to 92.5% in the 2024–2025 school year, leaving a substantial number of children at risk.

Public health guidance: identify, isolate, vaccinate

Health departments typically focus on rapid case identification, isolation, and vaccination outreach when measles spreads, because the virus is highly contagious and can move quickly through under-immunized groups. The CDC provides toolkits and community resources for jurisdictions experiencing outbreaks, including guidance for schools, clinicians, and families.

The latest numbers reinforce a broader concern among health officials: when vaccination coverage dips and outbreaks persist across state lines, containing transmission becomes more difficult, especially in pockets where immunity is low. CDC updates are scheduled on a weekly cadence and are used by states to guide local response actions.