At least two people have died from measles in Pennsylvania — the first deaths in the state in 35 years and the first in the United States in 2026 — adding to this year's already burgeoning total of cases.
As of Aug. 20, the number of measles cases confirmed so far this year in the United States reached 2,777, more than all of 2025 and the highest total in 35 years. The cases, confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have primarily been attributed to declining vaccination coverage.
At least 2,761 cases came from 46 states, New York City, and Washington. At least 36 new outbreaks have been recorded so far in 2026. In 2025, 48 outbreaks were reported for the entire year.
According to the state's health department, both individuals
in Pennsylvania were unvaccinated. The CDC says 94% of new cases involved people who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown. The virus was declared eliminated in 2000.
Reported measles cases in the US, 1962-2026
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2026 measles cases are rising in the US
MMR vaccinations among kindergarten students, which prevent measles, mumps and rubella, have declined, according to the CDC. Officials aim for 95% coverage to prevent measles spreading. The rate for kindergarten coverage was 92.5% in the 2024-2025 school year.
The percentage of vaccine exemptions for kindergarteners – the share of those who were allowed to attend school without receiving at least one vaccine normally required – rose to 3.6% in the 2024-2025 school year, from 3.3% in 2023-2024.
About 91% of children are vaccinated by age 2, compared with roughly 93% of kindergartners, according to the CDC.
US map shows where measles cases have grown
As more cases of measles are reported, a few biotech companies are developing treatments for the disease, according to Wired.
Invivyd, a biopharmaceutical company, began developing a treatment and post-exposure preventive medicine for measles in 2025.
NanoViricides, a nano-biopharmaceutical company, received approval from the Food and Drug Administration in May to continue development of a broad-spectrum antiviral candidate for measles treatment.
Measles vaccination rate by US state
Experts also attribute the increase in cases to the growing anti-vaccine movement, USA TODAY previously reported. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is a longtime vaccine skeptic, though he has supported some inoculations in office.
Why is measles considered dangerous?
Measles is regarded as dangerous because it’s a highly contagious airborne disease and can cause serious medical complications, including death.
The vaccine for measles was introduced in the United States in 1963. Before vaccinations were widely used, major epidemics occurred about every two to three years and caused an estimated 2.6 million deaths globally each year, according to the World Health Organization.
Contributing: Mary Walrath-Holdridge
Source: USA TODAY Network reporting and research; Reuters; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; World Health Organization
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Case map and graphs capture resurgence of disease once eliminated in the US
