US measles outbreak expands as Pennsylvania cases approach 1,400 and state deaths rise.
Is it spreading to new areas?
Spread confirmed
As of 29 October 2026, health officials have confirmed spread to new locations, including DuPage County, Illinois, which reported its first case of 2026, and Minnesota, which has recorded 80 cases.
Sources: CBS NewsCBS News 2Key figures
| Figure | Value | Basis | As of | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Total Measles Cases Reported by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. | 4,588 | Official | Sources: ReutersCIDRAP | |
| Pennsylvania Total Cases Reported by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. | Approaching 1,400 | Official | Sources: ReutersPennLive | |
| US Measles Deaths (CDC Count) Officially recognized nationwide count by the CDC; Pennsylvania state health officials report additional deaths not acknowledged by federal data. | 3 | Official | Sources: Fox NewsThe Philadelphia Inquirer | |
| Minnesota Total Cases Reported by Minnesota health officials, marking the state's highest total since 1990. | 80 | Official | Sources: CBS News |
Who says what
| Who | Says | Date | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) | Confirmed 4,588 national measles cases and 3 nationwide deaths in 2026, while sending an investigator to assist Pennsylvania officials. | Sources: ReutersFox NewsCBS News | |
| Pennsylvania Department of Health | Reported state cases approaching 1,400, urged public trust in vaccines, and alerted providers to congenital measles risks and local store exposures. | Sources: WGALReutersWGAL 2The Hill | |
| Minnesota Department of Health | Recorded 80 measles cases in 2026, the highest annual count in the state in over three decades. | Sources: CBS News |
Summary
As of 29 October 2026, the United States is facing its largest annual measles outbreak since 1991, with national cases exceeding 4,500 [ca767b2891a7f0ab, c6f092e9c6ee1773]. The increase is driven by an outbreak in Pennsylvania that began in Lebanon County in late April 2026 and spread statewide, with Lancaster County logging the highest county case total [9cbdd2ae9a6b7c01]. An ongoing outbreak in under-immunized rural communities in New York prompted a state disaster emergency declaration on 5 October 2026.
Pennsylvania state health officials report that total cases in the state are approaching 1,400 [38c3c672371863a9]. Health authorities have warned of risks to pregnant women and rising rates of rare congenital measles [31fd3f3fb85ec01d, ece290cdb7b07e47]. Public health warnings have also been issued for exposure sites in central Pennsylvania, including a Target store in Lebanon County [b4d21e63500f4288, c7d6cd55d7e3a93e].
A dispute over death tolls remains active between state and federal officials: while the CDC officially recognizes 3 measles deaths nationwide [42a8c4f249b5aec2], Pennsylvania health authorities have reported additional deaths in the state [4be25d996d8b2b6b, a6ca898a8863ef6b]. The disagreement over acknowledging state-reported deaths contributed to the resignation of CDC Deputy Director Jennifer Shuford on 27 October 2026 [72f14f19f6805843].
Timeline
- CDC confirms a third national measles death, while local reporting indicates a sixth death in Pennsylvania.Sources: Fox NewsFOX 29 Philadelphia
- DuPage County health officials report the county's first measles case of 2026 following potential exposure at Chicago O'Hare Airport.Sources: CBS News
- CDC dispatches a disease investigator to Pennsylvania amid concerns over delayed approval for faster measles testing.Sources: CBS NewsThe Guardian
- CDC reports total US measles cases have reached 4,588 in 2026.Sources: Reuters
- CDC Deputy Director Jennifer Shuford resigns amid a dispute over unacknowledged Pennsylvania measles deaths.Sources: The Philadelphia Inquirer
- Pennsylvania cases approach 1,400 as the state health secretary urges the public to trust vaccines.Sources: ReutersWGAL
- Minnesota reports 80 cases in 2026, and Pennsylvania health officials warn of measles exposure at a Target store in Lebanon County.Sources: CBS NewsLebanon Daily NewsWGAL
Still unknown
- The cause of the discrepancy between Pennsylvania's state-reported measles deaths and the CDC's lower official count.
- Whether federal authorities will validate or approve faster, high-volume measles testing requested by state health departments.
- How far ongoing transmission in under-immunized rural populations will spread to surrounding counties.