CDC Reports Six Measles Deaths in 2026 as US Battles Worst Outbreak in 35 Years

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released figures confirming six measles-related deaths in the United States this year. As the nation grapples with its most significant resurgence of the disease in decades, CDC reports indicate that this total is double the number of fatalities recorded in 2025. This development comes as the country faces its largest measles outbreak since 1991, with data from the Johns Hopkins University International Vaccine Access Center tracker showing more than 5,400 cases reported across the country.

The US is facing its deadliest measles outbreak in decades with six confirmed deaths reported this year.

CDC reports surge in infection

The current situation has seen active outbreaks reported in nearly every state. While Pennsylvania has been identified as the state most severely affected, with local officials confirming six measles-associated deaths, the national picture remains complex due to variations in reporting. A child also died in New York on election day, and an infant died in Wisconsin shortly thereafter. The Wisconsin department of health services confirmed the infant's death, while New York recorded its first known measles-related fatality in more than three decades. Notably, the CDC did not identify which specific states accounted for the six deaths included in its official national tally.

This discrepancy in figures follows a shift in how the agency tracks fatalities under US health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Since September 4, the CDC has utilized data from the National Center for Health Statistics to monitor mortality trends. Reports suggest that Kennedy had previously questioned the inclusion of certain Pennsylvania deaths in the official count, requesting that they be omitted from the tally. The change in data sourcing occurred shortly after these reports surfaced.

Measles is a highly infectious disease that was officially declared eliminated in the United States in 2000. It is preventable through the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, which provides approximately 97% protection after two doses. The US now faces the potential loss of its measles elimination status, a designation held by other nations in Europe and Asia that have also seen the virus return.

Why it matters

The potential loss of measles elimination status represents a significant public health setback for the United States, reversing progress made since the year 2000. This shift highlights the ongoing challenges in maintaining high vaccination coverage and managing the spread of preventable infectious diseases.