Measles cases have surged in Maryland, with state leaders confirming 14 new cases this week and outbreaks in three counties.
There are now 31 confirmed cases in the state, after just 12 cases were reported in the previous nine years total.
State leaders say outbreaks have been declared in St. Mary's, Carroll and Cecil counties, where 26 of the 27 cases reported have been of unvaccinated residents.
Maryland Department of Health Secretary Dr. Meena Seshamani said in a statement getting vaccinated "is the simplest and most effective way" to protect high-risk people from being exposed to measles.
State health officials say there is currently no evidence of widespread community transmission in Maryland, with most of the cases occurring among household
contacts.
The 31 measles cases in Maryland come as cases surge nationwide. The United States has reported 2,777 confirmed measles cases this year, already surpassing the total reported in all of 2025.
CDC data shows measles cases are at their highest since the disease had been eliminated from the United States in 2000.
Two unvaccinated people in Pennsylvania died from measles this week, marking the first measles-related deaths in the US this year.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Measles cases surge in Maryland. What's the latest?
