CDC reports 416 measles cases so far in 2026 as South Carolina outbreak continues and vaccination urged

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that, as of January 22, 2026, there have been 416 confirmed measles cases reported in the United States in 2026. The CDC said most confirmed cases are associated with outbreaks, largely linked to outbreaks that began in 2025, underscoring how quickly measles can spread once transmission becomes established in pockets of under-immunized communities. ([cdc.gov](https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/?utm_source=openai))

In the Carolinas, state health agencies have continued issuing updates and guidance as the regional outbreak evolves. South Carolina’s public health department said the outbreak centered around Spartanburg County had reached hundreds of cases, and it has published public exposure locations and symptom-watch timelines—tools meant to help exposed people monitor for illness and seek care while limiting further spread. ([dph.sc.gov](https://dph.sc.gov/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/measles-rubeola/2025-measles-outbreak?utm_source=openai))

North Carolina officials have also announced additional cases and urged vaccination. In a January 9, 2026 update, North Carolina’s health department reported a new measles case and emphasized that unvaccinated people are at high risk after exposure. The agency also warned that the absence of a clear exposure source for at least one case can indicate undetected spread, which complicates containment and increases the value of proactive immunization. ([ncdhhs.gov](https://www.ncdhhs.gov/news/press-releases/2026/01/09/additional-measles-case-north-carolina-ncdhhs-urges-vaccination?utm_source=openai))

Public health guidance remains focused on the MMR vaccine as the primary defense, along with identifying exposed contacts, communicating exposure sites, and advising people on symptom timelines. Because measles is highly contagious and can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves an area, outbreaks can accelerate quickly in shared indoor spaces such as waiting rooms, schools, and workplaces—especially where vaccination coverage is uneven. ([dph.sc.gov](https://dph.sc.gov/diseases-conditions/infectious-diseases/measles-rubeola/2025-measles-outbreak?utm_source=openai))

1. If you’re unsure about your vaccination status, verify records and talk to a clinician about MMR.
2. If exposed, watch for symptoms during the full incubation window and follow local health guidance.
3. If symptomatic, call ahead before visiting clinics so facilities can reduce exposure to others.