US surpasses 2025’s record number of measles infections as cases climb

The latest milestone, a recorded 2,318 infections, makes 2026 the worst year for measles in the US since 1991

The US has officially surpassed last year's record number of measles infections, marking the highest case count since the disease was declared eliminated in 2000.

New figures from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released on Friday show the country has recorded 2,318 measles cases in 2026, overtaking the 2,289 cases reported during all of 2025 - with five months still remaining in the year. The country crossed the 2,000-case threshold last month before climbing even higher in July.