US measles cases reach 4,410 as Pennsylvania reports over 1,250 cases and six deaths
Is it spreading to new areas?
Spread confirmed
As of 17 October 2026, Cayuga County health officials in New York reported a second confirmed measles case, while Minnesota health officials identified 25 cases and Georgia officials reported a case potentially linked to Pennsylvania.
Sources: Syracuse.comCBS NewsCBS News 2Key figures
| Figure | Value | Basis | As of | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Total Measles Cases Reported by the CDC as national cases grew by 8% over one week. | 4,410 | Official | Sources: ReutersCIDRAPCIDRAP 2Al Jazeera | |
| Pennsylvania Measles Cases Reported by Pennsylvania health officials, while local media reporting indicates cases exceed 1,250. | More than 1,200 | Official | Sources: The Philadelphia InquirerPennLiveU.S. News & World ReportWHYY | |
| Lancaster County Cases Reported by LNP following the largest weekly increase in Lancaster County since September. | 452 | Press reports | Sources: LNP | LancasterOnline | |
| Pennsylvania Measles Deaths Reported by Pennsylvania health officials and the Franklin County coroner. | 6 | Official | Sources: NBC NewsCIDRAPReutersThe Philadelphia InquirerThe Philadelphia Inquirer 2 | |
| Minnesota Measles Cases Reported by the Minnesota Department of Health across central and southeastern regions. | 25 | Press reports | Sources: CBS News |
Who says what
| Who | Says | Date | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDC | Dispatched a disease detective to Pennsylvania to support state and local officials investigating the outbreak. | Sources: The HillThe GuardianReuters | |
| Pennsylvania Department of Health | Accepted federal assistance while criticizing the CDC for excluding state-recorded measles deaths from national tallies. | Sources: The Philadelphia InquirerNBC News | |
| Minnesota Department of Health | Identified 25 cases of measles across central and southeastern Minnesota. | Sources: CBS News | |
| Cayuga County Health Department | Confirmed a second case of measles in Cayuga County, New York. | Sources: Syracuse.com |
Summary
As of 18 October 2026, federal and local health officials continue responding to expanding measles outbreaks across the United States, with the CDC deploying a disease detective to Pennsylvania to support response efforts.
National cases have reached 4,410 following an 8% weekly increase, led by Pennsylvania where reported cases exceed 1,250 and six deaths have been recorded. Additional cases and clusters have been reported in New York, Minnesota, and Georgia.
Timeline
- Franklin County coroner and state health officials report Pennsylvania's sixth measles death.Sources: CIDRAPThe Philadelphia InquirerNBC News
- Officials report a new measles case in Georgia that may be linked to Pennsylvania's outbreak.Sources: CBS News
- Minnesota Department of Health confirms 25 measles cases in central and southeastern Minnesota.Sources: CBS News
- CDC reports national cases reach 4,410 while Pennsylvania officials state cases surpass 1,200.Sources: ReutersThe Philadelphia InquirerPennLive
- Cayuga County health officials report a second confirmed case of measles in New York.Sources: Syracuse.com
- CDC sends a disease detective to Pennsylvania to assist with the ongoing outbreak response.Sources: The Hill
Still unknown
- The reasons behind differing death count criteria between the CDC and Pennsylvania state health officials.
- Whether the Georgia case is confirmed by laboratory testing to be connected to the Pennsylvania outbreak strain.
- The extent of further community transmission in central Minnesota and rural New York communities.