US loses measles elimination status as nationwide cases surpass 5,400.
Is it spreading to new areas?
Spread confirmed
As of 13 November 2026, health officials confirmed a new case in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and issued public exposure warnings in New Jersey.
Sources: NBC10 PhiladelphiaNBC10 Philadelphia 2NBC10 Philadelphia 36abc PhiladelphiaKey figures
| Figure | Value | Basis | As of | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US confirmed measles cases Reported by the CDC. | 5,412 | Official | Sources: Reuters | |
| US total measles deaths in 2026 Stated by health officials; includes seven deaths in Pennsylvania and two in Wisconsin. | 10 | Official | Sources: NBC NewsThe Washington PostABC News | |
| Pennsylvania confirmed measles cases Reported by local media coverage. | 1,500+ | Unverified | Sources: PennLiveNBC10 Philadelphia | |
| Pennsylvania measles deaths Confirmed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. | 7 | Official | Sources: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette6abc PhiladelphiaWGALThe Philadelphia Inquirer | |
| Wisconsin measles deaths Confirmed by Wisconsin health officials; both were pediatric cases. | 2 | Official | Sources: CBS NewsReutersU.S. News & World Report | |
| Michigan confirmed measles cases in 2026 Reported by the CDC. | 22 | Official | Sources: CBS News |
Who says what
| Who | Says | Date | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) | The CDC Director expressed support for vaccination and stated that federal outbreak response operations will not change if the US loses elimination status. | Sources: The HillBloombergCNN | |
| Pennsylvania Department of Health | State health officials confirmed seven measles-associated deaths during the outbreak and reported ongoing efforts to contain rapid viral spread. | Sources: Pittsburgh Post-GazetteWGALThe Philadelphia InquirerNPR | |
| Wisconsin Division of Public Health | The state health officer confirmed a second child death from measles in Wisconsin and urged residents to get vaccinated. | Sources: CBS NewsReuters | |
| New Jersey Department of Health | Health officials warned of potential measles exposures at public locations including a pharmacy and convention, urging residents to seek vaccination. | Sources: NBC10 Philadelphia6abc PhiladelphiaCBS News | |
| Global Health Authorities | International health experts convened by the Pan American Health Organization declared that the United States has lost its measles elimination status. | Sources: KFF Health NewsLNP | LancasterOnlineSpotlight PA |
Summary
As of 14 November 2026, global health authorities and major news outlets reported that the United States has lost its measles elimination status following continuous community transmission across multiple states [4504d159571f34d9, 50b412b71df52a73, 4f085aefcd54b7b6]. Pennsylvania health officials confirmed a seventh measles-associated death in the state's ongoing outbreak, while national deaths tied to measles reached 10 [137bb7244af5fa48, 7e37825a6d37a1e6, 2b5402ff53aa6e05].
Confirmed measles cases nationwide have risen to 5,412, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [84ce0a2749db5956]. Pennsylvania's statewide case count surpassed 1,500, with recent cases identified in Bucks County and ongoing spread in Lancaster County [62f48cb02f11032e, 15f0af1a1b9d4a8e, e77818f953cbee1f]. Meanwhile, Wisconsin health officials confirmed a second child death linked to the virus [25a26f74e02f2417, 5d83fb124c7619ed].
Despite the loss of elimination status, CDC leadership stated that federal outbreak response operations will remain unchanged while public health agencies continue urging vaccination [7477974d88112552, cc3be5c740fb7506].
Timeline
- Health officials confirm a measles case in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, involving a resident who traveled to central Pennsylvania.Sources: The Philadelphia InquirerFOX 29 PhiladelphiaNBC10 Philadelphia
- The CDC director announces that federal measles response operations will remain unchanged regardless of official elimination status reviews.Sources: The HillCNN
- The CDC confirms six US measles deaths in 2026 as nationwide cases reach a 35-year high.Sources: ReutersThe GuardianU.S. News & World Report
- CDC reports US measles cases reach 5,412; Pennsylvania total passes 1,500; Wisconsin reports a second child death, raising nationwide deaths to 10.Sources: ReutersPennLiveCBS NewsNBC News
- Pennsylvania confirms its seventh outbreak death, and health authorities report that the United States has lost its measles elimination status.Sources: Pittsburgh Post-GazetteKFF Health NewsThe Philadelphia Inquirer
Still unknown
- The full extent of secondary transmissions resulting from potential public exposure events in New Jersey.
- Whether additional states will experience localized outbreaks as community transmission continues.
- The specific administrative process and timeline for formal international re-classification of the United States' measles status.