CDC reports record-breaking infections in 2026, with unvaccinated children making up most cases
The United States is experiencing its worst measles outbreak in more than three decades, with 2026 becoming the second consecutive record-breaking year for infections. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the country has already recorded more measles cases than any year since 1991, despite the disease being declared eliminated in the United States in 2000.
Health officials say the resurgence has reached alarming levels. In fact, more measles cases have been reported over the past 18 months than during the previous 25 years combined, highlighting a dramatic reversal in the nation’s progress against the highly contagious disease.
The CDC continues to report dozens of new measles cases every week, with several large outbreaks that began in 2025 continuing to spread into 2026. Additional outbreaks linked to new exposures have emerged across multiple regions of the country, placing increased pressure on public health agencies.
Medical experts say the overwhelming majority of infections involve unvaccinated children, making the outbreaks largely preventable.
Dr. Andrew Racine, President of the American Academy of Pediatrics, described the situation as a serious public health setback.
“This essentially is a public health failure, and it’s avoidable,” Dr. Racine said.
Health officials emphasize that the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine remains the most effective protection against the disease, preventing the vast majority of infections and serious complications.
Among all states, South Carolina has reported the highest number of measles cases in 2026. A major outbreak that began in Spartanburg County in October 2025 became the largest measles outbreak the United States has experienced in decades, infecting nearly 1,000 people before health authorities declared it over in April 2026.
One of the locations at the center of the outbreak was the Unitarian Universalist Church of Spartanburg, where community members were unknowingly exposed to the virus.
Rev. Scott Neely, the church’s pastor, said he initially believed the congregation had avoided the outbreak. However, on the first Friday of 2026, shortly after New Year’s Day, the South Carolina Department of Health contacted the church after contact tracing revealed that an individual infected with measles had attended the church’s annual Christmas brunch, potentially exposing dozens of attendees.
The incident underscored how quickly the virus can spread through community gatherings before symptoms become apparent.
Public health experts warn that measles is one of the world’s most contagious viruses, capable of spreading through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms typically include high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a distinctive rash, while severe cases can lead to pneumonia, brain inflammation, permanent disability, or death, particularly among young children and people with weakened immune systems.
Health authorities continue to urge families to ensure children receive the recommended MMR vaccinations, stressing that maintaining high vaccination rates is essential to preventing future outbreaks and protecting vulnerable communities across the United States.
