US measles cases surpass 5,100 as Pennsylvania reports over 1,500 cases
Is it spreading to new areas?
Spread confirmed
As of 9 November 2026, health officials and news outlets reported a confirmed measles case in Bucks County, Pennsylvania following travel to central Pennsylvania, as well as public exposure warnings in Wayne County, New York.
Sources: CBS NewsWHECKey figures
| Figure | Value | Basis | As of | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US total measles cases (2026) CIDRAP reported total US cases passed 5,100; CDC reported over 5,000 cases across 45 states. | More than 5,100 | Press reports | Sources: CIDRAPABC NewsThe Washington Post | |
| Pennsylvania total measles cases Stated by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. | Over 1,500 | Press reports | Sources: ReutersU.S. News & World ReportThe Philadelphia Inquirer | |
| Lancaster County measles cases Stated by health officials as reported by LNP | LancasterOnline. | Over 500 | Official | Sources: LNP | LancasterOnlineLNP | LancasterOnline 2 | |
| Pennsylvania measles-related deaths Stated by the Pennsylvania Department of Health; a potential seventh death was reported by the Franklin County coroner. | 6 confirmed (1 under investigation) | Official | Sources: The Philadelphia InquirerThe Washington PostNBC10 Philadelphia | |
| Total US measles deaths reported Stated by health officials as reported by ABC News. | 8 | Official | Sources: ABC News |
Who says what
| Who | Says | Date | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Department of Health | Confirmed that statewide measles cases surpassed 1,500 across 45 counties and confirmed six measles-related deaths. | Sources: ReutersU.S. News & World ReportNBC10 Philadelphia | |
| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) | Reported that US measles cases in 2026 surpassed 5,000 across 45 states, representing the highest total in 35 years. | Sources: The Washington PostAl JazeeraABC News | |
| Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) | Convened leaders to review whether the United States maintains its measles elimination status. | Sources: The Philadelphia Inquirer | |
| Wayne County Public Health | Issued warnings regarding potential public measles exposures in Newark and Lyons, New York. | Sources: WHEC | |
| Wisconsin Health Officials | Reported an infant death from measles in southwest Wisconsin, marking the state's first measles fatality since 1990. | Sources: ReutersThe Washington PostCBS News |
Summary
As of 9 November 2026, the Pennsylvania Department of Health reported that confirmed measles cases in the state have surpassed 1,500. Adults account for two-thirds of Pennsylvania's cases, with Lancaster County leading state totals with over 500 cases. Recent developments include a confirmed case in a Bucks County resident after travel to central Pennsylvania and potential exposure warnings issued in Newark and Lyons by Wayne County Public Health in New York.
Nationally, the CDC and news outlets report that US measles cases in 2026 have passed 5,100 across 45 states, marking the highest annual count since 1991. Leaders from the Pan American Health Organization are meeting to evaluate whether the United States retains its measles elimination status.
Multiple measles-related deaths have been confirmed in recent days across several states, including six in Pennsylvania, an infant in Wisconsin, and a child in Lewis County, New York. Pennsylvania officials are also investigating a potential seventh death.
Timeline
- New York health officials report the death of a child in Lewis County, Upstate New York, marking the state's first measles fatality in over 30 years.Sources: ABC NewsWGRZ
- Pennsylvania health officials confirm a sixth measles death in the state and investigate a potential seventh reported by the Franklin County coroner; Lancaster County cases pass 500.Sources: The Philadelphia InquirerLNP | LancasterOnline
- Wisconsin health officials report an infant death from measles in southwest Wisconsin, the state's first measles fatality since 1990.Sources: ReutersThe Washington Post
- The CDC reports nationwide measles cases have surpassed 5,000 across 45 states; Lancaster County launches an online clinic locator.Sources: ABC NewsLNP | LancasterOnline
- Pennsylvania health officials report state cases have passed 1,500; Wayne County NY issues exposure warnings; PAHO meets to review US elimination status.Sources: ReutersWHECThe Philadelphia Inquirer
Still unknown
- Whether the Pan American Health Organization will determine that the United States has lost its measles elimination status.
- Whether the Franklin County coroner's report of a seventh death in Pennsylvania will be confirmed as measles-related by state health authorities.
- The scope of secondary transmission resulting from public exposures in Wayne County, New York.
- The impact of local vaccination clinic outreach in Lancaster County and other heavily affected rural areas.