CDC logs 178 new measles cases as US total nears 4,600

The United States is experiencing a sharp rise in measles infections as federal health agencies track the spread of the virus across the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new data on Friday showing a continued increase in cases across multiple states.

The CDC recorded an additional 178 cases of measles this week, bringing the national total for 2026 to 4,588. This figure is more than double the number of cases reported in 2025. The agency identified at least 43 distinct outbreaks, with the highest concentrations in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Utah. Pennsylvania alone reported 1,338 cases, while both South Carolina and Utah reported more than 500 cases each.

Health officials face scrutiny regarding how they count and report measles data. The CDC has reported three measles deaths nationally but has not specified the location of the third death. Pennsylvania state authorities reported five deaths and are investigating a sixth. According to Reuters, Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr asked senior CDC officials in September to remove one measles death from the official tally after questioning the cause of death.

The Health and Human Services Department announced changes to the vaccine adverse event reporting system, or VAERS, this week. The proposal would allow doctors to bill for reporting suspected vaccine injuries. While the system helps researchers track rare safety issues, it has also been used by anti-vaccine activists to cite potential risks. Kennedy previously stated that vitamin A and cod liver oil might help children with measles, a claim leading physicians described as misleading.

Kennedy has made substantial changes to vaccine oversight since taking office. He fired all 17 members of the expert panel that reviews vaccine changes and replaced them with individuals who share his ideological views. A court blocked the appointment of these new members in March. Before his tenure, the panel evaluated each vaccine individually to determine if benefits outweighed risks. Kennedy has also linked vaccines to autism and claimed the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine contains aborted fetal debris, statements that contradict extensive scientific evidence.

Measles remains one of the most contagious diseases, with a vaccine that is 97% effective. The disease sends one in five unvaccinated infected individuals to the hospital, and one to three people in 1,000 die from complications. The CDC notes that official tallies may undercount the disease because common symptoms like fever and cough do not always lead to a doctor's visit.