Measles Outbreak & Vaccine Push: US Cases Rise – Latest News

The United States is experiencing a resurgence of measles, with February 5, 2026, marking 733 confirmed cases reported nationwide this year. This increase has prompted urgent calls from health officials for increased vaccination rates, as the country risks losing its measles elimination status.

According to data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on February 6, 2026, cases have been identified in 20 jurisdictions: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. An additional six cases have been reported among international visitors to the U.S. Notably, 92% of these confirmed cases – 671 out of 733 – are linked to existing outbreaks, with nine originating in 2026 and the vast majority (662) stemming from outbreaks that began in 2025.

The situation is particularly concerning given the highly contagious nature of measles. The CDC defines a measles outbreak as three or more related cases. While states maintain the most up-to-date information on local cases and outbreaks, the CDC tracks the cumulative national numbers.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, recently emphasized the importance of vaccination in light of the growing outbreaks. “Take the vaccine, please,” he urged, acknowledging that vaccination offers a solution to the current problem. His appeal comes amidst a broader conversation about vaccine confidence and recent revisions to federal vaccine recommendations.

Outbreaks are occurring in multiple locations, including a significant outbreak in South Carolina that has surpassed the case count from Texas’ 2025 outbreak, and another on the Utah-Arizona border. These outbreaks are disproportionately impacting children, raising concerns among infectious disease experts who believe declining public trust in vaccines may be contributing to the spread of the disease.

Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis (brain swelling), and even death. Symptoms typically begin with a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes, followed by a rash that spreads from the head to the body. The virus is airborne and can remain infectious for up to two hours in the air after an infected person leaves a room.

Dr. Oz defended recent federal vaccine recommendations and addressed past comments made by President Donald Trump and the nation’s health chief, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., regarding vaccine efficacy. He stressed that measles is a disease for which vaccination is particularly crucial, stating, “Not all illnesses are equally dangerous and not all people are equally susceptible to those illnesses…But measles is one Consider get your vaccine.”

The current situation echoes concerns from 2025, when a total of 2,276 confirmed measles cases were reported across 45 jurisdictions, with 25 cases among international visitors. That year saw 49 outbreaks, and 89% of cases were associated with these outbreaks.

Medicare and Medicaid will continue to cover the measles vaccine as part of their insurance programs, ensuring access to vaccination for many Americans. However, experts emphasize that widespread vaccination is essential to protect the entire population, particularly those who are too young to be vaccinated or have medical conditions that prevent them from receiving the vaccine.

Health officials are urging individuals to check their vaccination status and get vaccinated if they are not already protected. The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is highly effective, providing approximately 97% protection against measles after two doses. The CDC recommends that children receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, with the first dose administered between 12 and 15 months of age and the second dose between 4 and 6 years of age.

The resurgence of measles serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of infectious diseases and protecting public health. Continued efforts to promote vaccine confidence and ensure access to vaccination are crucial to preventing further outbreaks and maintaining measles elimination in the United States.