US Measles Total Surpasses 1,714 Cases

The total number of measles cases in the United States surpassed 1,714 as of April 9, 2026, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The increase, driven by 17 ongoing outbreaks across 33 states, including a significant surge in Utah, reflects continued transmission from cases that began in 2025, officials said.

This rise is smaller than the previous week’s 96-case jump but continues a trend of sustained transmission from outbreaks that began in 2025, officials said. The CDC confirmed 1,704 cases across 33 U.S. jurisdictions and noted an additional 10 cases among international visitors, according to the agency’s weekly update.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported an increase of 43 measles cases in the United States during the week ending April 9, 2026, bringing the total to 1,714 cases.

Seventeen outbreaks are currently active in 2026, defined by the CDC as clusters of three or more related cases. These outbreaks account for 94% of all reported cases, or 1,609 infections. Of these, 377 cases originated from outbreaks that began in 2026, while 1,232 cases stem from outbreaks continuing from 2025. The number of active outbreaks has increased from previous weeks, although it remains below the 48 outbreaks reported in 2025, which resulted in a total of 2,287 cases last year.

Utah has emerged as the epicenter of the current measles resurgence, recording between 362 and 378 cases in 2026, including 73 new cases reported last week. In the five days leading up to April 9, Utah reported 24 new cases, the highest increase among affected states. Florida follows with between 129 and 143 cases, though discrepancies exist between state and CDC reporting. Other states with notable case counts include Arizona with 278 cases, Idaho with 22, and Washington with 28, according to state health department data and CDC records.

The geographic spread of measles now includes 33 jurisdictions, encompassing states such as Alaska, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New York City and State, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin. This represents an increase of one state from the previous week. South Carolina has reported no new cases recently, and health officials there indicated the outbreak could be declared over if no additional cases are confirmed by April 26.

Vaccination status remains a critical factor in the outbreak. The CDC reported that 92% of patients were either unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status, consistent with last year’s figure of 93%. Only 4% of cases involved individuals who had received one dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, and very few were fully immunized with two doses. The agency continues to emphasize vaccination as the most effective method to prevent measles transmission.

Age distribution data show that children and young adults remain the most affected groups. Twenty-one percent of cases, or 354 patients, were under 5 years old, while 52%, or 888 cases, involved individuals aged 5 to 19. Adults aged 20 and older accounted for 27% of cases, totaling 467. These proportions align with transmission patterns observed in previous years, with young age groups driving the majority of infections.

Hospitalizations have occurred in 96 patients, representing 6% of cases, a decrease from the 11% hospitalization rate recorded in 2025. There have been no confirmed measles-related deaths in 2026 to date, contrasting with three fatalities reported last year amid 2,287 cases. The CDC continues to monitor hospitalizations and severe outcomes closely.

Trends indicate that the total number of measles cases in the United States is on track to surpass the 2,287 cases reported in 2025 by the spring or summer months, according to projections from health officials. The ongoing outbreaks, particularly the surge in Utah, contribute to this trajectory. The CDC has indicated that the United States is likely to lose its measles elimination status, which it regained in 2000, during the November 2026 assessment.

The resurgence of measles follows the highest case counts since 1992, with 2025 marking a significant increase driven by 48 outbreaks nationwide. Public health experts attribute part of the challenge to vaccine misinformation that intensified following leadership changes in 2025, according to secondary sources. The CDC continues to track cases, vaccination coverage, and outbreak dynamics as the situation evolves.