US measles cases pass 4,000 as outbreaks grow in Pennsylvania and New York
Is it spreading to new areas?
Spread confirmed
As of 10 October 2026, health officials in Pennsylvania and New York confirmed recent cases in Allegheny, Chester, Lancaster, Ontario, and Oswego counties, while county officials in central Minnesota reported suspected cases.
Sources: CBS NewsSyracuse.comDemocrat & ChronicleCBS News 2LNP | LancasterOnline6abc PhiladelphiaKey figures
| Figure | Value | Basis | As of | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US National Measles Cases Stated by the CDC across 45 states. | 4,080 | Official | Sources: U.S. News & World ReportReutersABC News | |
| Pennsylvania Total Measles Cases Reported by Spectrum News and FOX 29; PA health officials separately confirmed over 900 cases as of 7 October and 74 new cases on 8 October. | Over 1,000 | Press reports | Sources: Spectrum NewsFOX 29 PhiladelphiaABC NewsABC News 2 | |
| Chester County Measles Cases Reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer as of 7 October. | 86 | Press reports | Sources: The Philadelphia Inquirer |
Who says what
| Who | Says | Date | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) | Reported 4,080 total US cases across 45 states, offered $100 million in state support, and warned of additional cases during the travel season. | Sources: U.S. News & World ReportThe New York TimesABC News | |
| Pennsylvania Health Department | Confirmed over 900 cases in Pennsylvania by 7 October, added 74 new cases on 8 October, and stated the outbreak shows no sign of slowing. | Sources: ABC NewsABC News 2NBC News | |
| New York State Officials | Declared a state disaster emergency due to rising cases concentrated in the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions and requested federal aid. | Sources: NBC 4 New YorkWSKGReuters | |
| U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) | Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. offered federal support to New York State to assist in responding to its outbreak. | Sources: U.S. News & World Report | |
| Allegheny County Health Department | Confirmed a second measles case tied to a local school and placed 11 people in quarantine. | Sources: CBS NewsCBS News 2 |
Summary
As of 10 October 2026, confirmed U.S. measles cases have reached 4,080 across 45 states, marking the nation's largest outbreak in 35 years [654bebfb2394ce46, 2e63928be6dfa69d, 288d1dfc1acfe881, fe58fc4ada1ced5b]. Pennsylvania accounts for over a quarter of all national cases, exceeding 1,000 total cases as state health officials reported 74 new cases on 8 October [fe58fc4ada1ced5b, ded671814293bc1c, 0d291831acf09bf5].
In New York State, where a state disaster emergency was declared on 5 October 2026, infections remain concentrated in under-immunized rural communities in the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions [53345eb2f5847402, 9651545b8a584d44]. Recent local reports confirmed additional cases in Ontario and Oswego counties, as well as pediatric hospitalizations in Rochester [53d6c0b426171080, 30a9778cd4a3a459, 9c78eb852096855c].
Federal and state responses have intensified, with the CDC offering states $100 million in response funding [9636b60f35fa1dcd] and HHS offering direct aid to New York [37dd0a04bc28d3ca]. Meanwhile, school closures and exposure warnings have been issued across Pennsylvania counties including Allegheny, Chester, and Lancaster [741fb273870fb7e0, 4fb4aa56d2f0d721, b1c873c7962a38a9].
Timeline
- New York declares a state disaster emergency as national cases reach 3,887.Sources: NBC 4 New YorkU.S. News & World Report
- Pennsylvania measles cases surpass 900, with news outlets reporting the state total has passed 1,000.Sources: ABC NewsSpectrum News
- Pennsylvania health officials report 74 new cases; CDC announces $100 million in funding for state responses.Sources: ABC NewsThe New York Times
- CDC reports total US cases reach 4,080 across 45 states; Oxford Area High School in Chester County closes following a confirmed case.Sources: U.S. News & World Report6abc Philadelphia
- Allegheny County health officials report two cases linked to a school, while central Minnesota officials report suspected cases.Sources: CBS NewsCBS News 2
Still unknown
- Whether suspected cases reported in central Minnesota will be confirmed as measles.
- How effectively the $100 million in federal CDC funding will curb transmission before peak travel seasons.
- The total extent of potential school and public exposure sites in affected Pennsylvania and New York counties.