U.S. measles cases top 1,000 for year

U.S. measles cases surpassed 1,000 two months into 2026, with outbreaks persisting in South Carolina, Arizona and Utah. The 1,000 cases represent half the number of total cases in 2025, which was one of the highest annual U.S. case counts in decades. Public health experts attribute the rise in measles cases to growing non-medical exemption rates throughout the country and more people believing inaccurate information about vaccines. Measles vaccination rates need to increase to achieve the 95% coverage for adequate herd immunity to prevent community spread. Public health experts recommend strong statements urging vaccination from state leaders as well as data sharing on measles hospitalizations and complications, such as pneumonia and encephalitis, across health systems. Health care providers should prioritize vaccination when seeing patients. (MedPage Today article, 2/24/26)