US measles cases exceed 4,000 as Pennsylvania and New York outbreaks expand
Is it spreading to new areas?
Spread confirmed
As of 9 October 2026, public health authorities confirmed new measles cases in expanding areas, including Allegheny County in Pennsylvania as well as Ontario and Oswego counties in New York.
Sources: CBS NewsDemocrat & ChronicleSyracuse.comUSA TodayKey figures
| Figure | Value | Basis | As of | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total US Measles Cases (2026) Stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) across 45 states. | 4,080 | Official | Sources: U.S. News & World ReportReutersABC News | |
| Pennsylvania Total Cases Stated by Pennsylvania health officials on October 6, with 74 additional cases reported on October 8. | Over 1,000 | Official | Sources: The GuardianABC News | |
| Chester County, PA Cases Reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer as of October 7. | 86 | Press reports | Sources: The Philadelphia Inquirer | |
| Ontario County, NY Cases Stated by Ontario County officials amid New York's state emergency. | 4 | Official | Sources: Democrat & Chronicle |
Who says what
| Who | Says | Date | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) | Offered $100 million in federal funding to state health departments as nationwide cases reached 4,080 across 45 states. | Sources: The New York TimesU.S. News & World ReportABC News | |
| New York Governor Kathy Hochul | Declared a state disaster emergency to mobilize public health resources in response to rising measles cases. | Sources: CBS NewsSpectrum News | |
| Pennsylvania Health Department | Confirmed statewide measles cases passed 1,000 and reported 74 new cases as the outbreak continues. | Sources: The GuardianABC News | |
| U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) | HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. offered federal assistance to New York State to support its response. | Sources: U.S. News & World Report |
Summary
As of 9 October 2026, total US measles cases in 2026 have reached 4,080 across 45 states, marking the nation's largest measles surge since 1991. The surge is led by an ongoing outbreak in Pennsylvania and growing cases in under-immunized communities in New York State.
In Pennsylvania, total cases have surpassed 1,000, leading to school closures in Chester County and newly confirmed cases in Allegheny and Lancaster counties. In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state disaster emergency on 5 October 2026 as cases concentrated in the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions.
To assist state health departments responding to the surge, the CDC announced $100 million in federal funding while local officials continue contact tracing and public exposure warnings.
Timeline
- New York Governor Kathy Hochul declares a state disaster emergency in response to rising measles cases.Sources: CBS News
- Pennsylvania health officials confirm state measles cases have reached 1,000, and Allegheny County confirms its first case.Sources: The GuardianUSA Today
- The CDC offers states $100 million in funding; Pennsylvania health officials report 74 new cases, and Ontario County, NY confirms 4 cases.Sources: The New York TimesABC NewsDemocrat & Chronicle
- Allegheny County confirms its second case, placing 11 people in quarantine, while Oxford Area High School in Chester County closes due to a confirmed case.Sources: CBS NewsCBS News 26abc Philadelphia
Still unknown
- The full extent of community transmission in newly affected counties such as Allegheny and Ontario.
- The origin and exact exposure location for the student case at Bainbridge Elementary in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
- The timeline for distributing and deploying the $100 million in federal CDC funding to state health departments.