The United States has lost its measles elimination status after 26 years, according to reports on November 13 and 14, 2026 that cite people with knowledge of a Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) decision, with a formal announcement planned for Tuesday, November 17. The CDC had confirmed 5,412 measles cases in 2026 as of November 12, more than double the 2,289 in all of 2025, and state officials have reported 10 measles deaths this year.
Measles Elimination Status in US 2026 – Introduction
Measles elimination status in US 2026 has changed for the first time in three decades. The United States declared measles eliminated in 2000. Reports published on November 13 and 14 say PAHO’s verification commission has now ruled that the same measles chains kept spreading for 12 months or more, which ends that status. PAHO had not published its final determination as of November 14, so treat the reports as confirmed by sources, not by an official release.
The numbers behind the decision are stark. The CDC counted 5,412 confirmed cases through November 12, the most in more than 30 years. Pennsylvania leads the states, adults now outnumber children, and 96% of patients were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status. This report covers cases, outbreaks, states, age groups, vaccination, hospitalizations and deaths. It is general information, not medical advice.
Interesting Facts About Measles Elimination Status in US 2026
US Measles Cases by Year (1 block = 250)
2024 | █ 285
2025 | █████████ 2,289
2026 | █████████████████████▋ 5,412
| Fact | 2026 Data |
|---|---|
| Elimination status held since | 2000 (26 years) |
| Confirmed cases, 2026 (as of Nov 12) | 5,412 |
| Confirmed cases, 2025 (full year) | 2,289 |
| New outbreaks in 2026 | 43 |
| Cases tied to outbreaks | 96% |
| Hospitalized in 2026 | 591 (11%) |
| Deaths reported by states, 2026 | 10 |
| Kindergarten MMR coverage, 2025-26 | 92.4% |
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention measles data (November 12, 2026), via Contagion Live and 2 Minute Medicine; Al Jazeera; NPR.
The table shows how fast the problem grew. The country recorded 285 cases in 2024, 2,289 in 2025 and 5,412 in 2026 with about seven weeks of the year left. Contagion Live put the 2026 total at about 2.4 times the 2025 count. The 96% outbreak share means most cases link to chains of spread, not to isolated imported cases.
The health burden is large. 591 people have been hospitalized, which is 11% of cases. State health departments have reported 10 deaths in 2026, while the CDC dashboard lists fewer. Kindergarten MMR coverage sits at 92.4%, below the 95% level the CDC says protects a community.
Measles Elimination Status Timeline 2026: How Did the US Lose It?
Key Dates in the Elimination Decision
2000 ──► Nov 2025 ──► Nov 10-13, 2026 ──► Nov 13-14 ──► Nov 17 (planned)
Declared Canada PAHO commission Media reports Public
eliminated loses meets of loss announcement
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2000 | US measles declared eliminated |
| November 2025 | Canada loses elimination status |
| November 10-13, 2026 | PAHO verification commission meets in Washington |
| November 13, 2026 | Wall Street Journal reports the US lost status |
| November 14, 2026 | NPR, CNN and others report the same |
| November 17, 2026 | Public PAHO announcement planned |
Source: Pan American Health Organization (as reported by the Wall Street Journal, NPR, CNN, Al Jazeera and Reuters).
Elimination means a country has no measles chain of transmission lasting 12 months or longer. PAHO’s independent commission met on November 10-13 and reviewed evidence from the CDC and a separate expert panel. It concluded that the same strain had circulated without a break for more than a year. Reports on November 13 and 14 confirmed the outcome, while PAHO had not yet posted a public statement.
Canada lost its status in November 2025 after a long outbreak across several provinces. Spain and the United Kingdom have also lost status. The United States left the World Health Organization but remains a PAHO member. CDC Director Erica Schwartz told Reuters before the decision that the agency would keep doing the same thing, working with states to encourage immunization.
US Measles Cases by State 2026: Which States Have the Most?
Confirmed Cases by State, as of Nov 12, 2026 (1 block = 50)
Pennsylvania | ██████████████████████████████ 1,529
South Carolina | █████████████▍ 670
Utah | ██████████▋ 536
Wisconsin | ██████████ 505
Kentucky | ████▏ 212
| Rank | State | Confirmed Cases |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pennsylvania | 1,529 |
| 2 | South Carolina | 670 |
| 3 | Utah | 536 |
| 4 | Wisconsin | 505 |
| 5 | Kentucky | 212 |
| 6 | Ohio | 211 |
| 7 | New York | 210 |
| 8 | Texas | 192 |
| 9 | Virginia | 184 |
| 10 | Minnesota | 160 |
Source: CDC measles cases and outbreaks, as of November 12, 2026, as reported by WPEC.
Pennsylvania has 1,529 cases, more than twice South Carolina’s 670. Utah follows with 536 and Wisconsin with 505. The next six states each report between 160 and 212 cases. Cases have come from 47 jurisdictions in all, plus 18 cases among international visitors, according to the CDC’s November 5 update.
Local totals can differ from national ones. Wisconsin’s own health department reported 477 cases, nine hospitalizations and one death as of November 6, while the CDC listed 505 by November 12. State counts also run ahead of federal counts for deaths. Pennsylvania has confirmed more deaths than the CDC’s national list shows.
Measles Outbreaks 2026: How Many Cases Came From Outbreaks?
2026 Cases by Outbreak Start Year (1 block = 100)
Outbreaks that began in 2026 | ██████████████████████████████████████▎ 3,831
Outbreaks that began in 2025 | █████████████▊ 1,385
| Measure | 2026 Figure |
|---|---|
| New outbreaks reported in 2026 | 43 |
| Outbreak-associated cases | 5,216 (96%) |
| Cases from outbreaks that began in 2026 | 3,831 |
| Cases from outbreaks that began in 2025 | 1,385 |
| Cases among international visitors | 18 |
| 2025 outbreaks (full year) | 48 |
| 2024 outbreaks | 16 |
Source: CDC measles data as of November 12, 2026, via Contagion Live and 2 Minute Medicine.
The outbreak figures explain the elimination ruling. Of the 5,216 outbreak-associated cases in 2026, 1,385 came from outbreaks that began in 2025 and continued into this year. That carryover is what PAHO examines when it looks for an unbroken chain longer than 12 months. The CDC reported 48 outbreaks in 2025 and 16 in 2024.
New outbreaks also keep starting. The CDC logged 43 new ones in 2026, and no new outbreaks were added in its latest weekly update. Outbreak-associated cases rose by 223 that week. The CDC also noted 18 cases among international visitors, which shows imported cases still play a role even though the major driver is domestic spread.
Measles Cases by Age Group 2026: Are Adults or Children Most Affected?
2026 Measles Cases by Age (1 block = 100)
Adults 20+ | ██████████████████████▍ 2,240
Ages 5-19 | █████████████████████▊ 2,183
Under 5 | █████████▌ 951
| Age Group | Cases | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Adults 20 and older | 2,240 | 41% |
| Ages 5 to 19 | 2,183 | 40% |
| Children under 5 | 951 | 18% |
Source: CDC measles data as of November 12, 2026, via Contagion Live.
Adults aged 20 and older make up the largest group at 41%, or 2,240 cases. School-age children and teens account for 2,183 cases, or 40%, and children under 5 for 951, or 18%. Adults passed children and teens in the CDC’s November 6 update, when the adult count reached 2,132.
The age mix has shifted over the year. In July, children under 5 accounted for 20% of cases and adults for 31%. In 2025, children under 5 made up 26% of cases. The rising adult share suggests outbreaks are spreading in communities of unvaccinated adults, though the CDC data do not say why.
Measles Vaccination Status 2026: How Many Cases Were Unvaccinated?
Kindergarten MMR Coverage (1 block = 1%)
2019-20 | ███████████████████████████████████████████████▌ 95.2%
2025-26 | ██████████████████████████████████████████████▏ 92.4%
Community protection level | ████████████████████████████████████████████████ 95%
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Cases unvaccinated or unknown status, 2026 | 96% |
| Kindergarten MMR coverage, 2025-26 | 92.4% |
| Kindergarten MMR coverage, 2019-20 | 95.2% |
| Coverage level for community protection | 95% |
| Kindergartners with an exemption, 2025-26 | 4.2% |
| Kindergartners lacking MMR documentation | About 280,000 |
| Kindergartners with an exemption | About 155,000 |
Source: CDC measles data (November 12, 2026); CDC kindergarten vaccination coverage, 2025-26 school year.
Nearly all patients lacked protection. 96% of 2026 cases involved people who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown. In July, the figures were 93% unvaccinated or unknown, 3% with one MMR dose and 4% with two doses. Wisconsin said more than 99% of its cases were in unvaccinated people, according to CIDRAP.
Coverage has slipped. Kindergarten MMR coverage fell from 95.2% in 2019-20 to 92.4% in 2025-26, which is below the 95% the CDC says is needed for community protection. Exemptions from one or more vaccines rose to 4.2% from 3.6% the year before. About 280,000 kindergartners lacked documentation of the full MMR series.
Measles Hospitalizations 2026: Who Ends Up in the Hospital?
Share Hospitalized by Group, 2026 (1 block = 1%)
Children under 5 | █████████████████ 17%
Adults 20+ | ███████████████ 15%
Overall | ███████████ 11%
School-age | ████ 4%
| Group (2026) | Hospitalized | Share |
|---|---|---|
| All cases | 591 | 11% |
| Children under 5 | 160 of 951 | 17% |
| Adults 20 and older | 332 of 2,240 | 15% |
| School-age children | Not listed | 4% |
| 2025, all cases | 243 of 2,289 | 11% |
Source: CDC measles data as of November 12, 2026, via Contagion Live; Quartz; PubMed Central, 2026.
The CDC reports 591 hospitalizations in 2026, or 11% of cases. Hospitalization is most common in the youngest children: 17% of those under 5 (160 of 951) were hospitalized. Adults followed at 15% (332 of 2,240). School-age children were hospitalized at 4%.
Hospitalizations already exceed last year’s full-year total: 591 in 2026 against 243 in 2025. Epidemic Intelligence Service officers at the CDC report that approximately 20% of unvaccinated patients were hospitalized. The overall 11% share is the same in both years, but the larger case count means more people in hospital beds.
Measles Deaths in US 2026: What Do State and CDC Counts Show?
Reported Measles Deaths, 2026
State officials | ██████████ 10
CDC dashboard | ██████ 6
2025 (full year)| ███ 3
| Source | Deaths |
|---|---|
| State health officials, 2026 | 10 |
| CDC dashboard, 2026 | 6 |
| CDC dashboard, November 6 | 4 |
| Full year 2025 | 3 |
| Two newest reports (Nov 13) | 1 in Pennsylvania, 1 in Wisconsin |
Source: Al Jazeera (November 14, 2026); Center for Health Policy analysis (November 2026); NPR; state health departments.
State officials have reported 10 measles-associated deaths in 2026. Pennsylvania and Wisconsin each reported a new one on November 13. The CDC’s dashboard lists fewer, at 6, and had listed 4 a week earlier. NPR reported that the federal count trails the states by four. The CDC notes its numbers are subject to change.
There were 3 deaths in 2025. Several victims were infants, including children in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin and a 7-month-old in New York, according to NPR. These counts will probably be revised as reporting catches up.
How Can the US Regain Measles Elimination Status? What Happens Next
Requirements to Regain Status (months)
Time without continuous transmission | ████████████ 12+
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Loss threshold | Same chain of spread for 12 months or more |
| To regain status | At least 12 months without endemic transmission |
| Evidence needed | Submit data for international review |
| Countries that lost status recently | Canada, Spain, United Kingdom |
| Countries under review | Mexico, Guatemala |
| Planned public announcement | November 17, 2026 |
Source: Pan American Health Organization (as reported by Spokesman-Review, CNN, NPR and Al Jazeera).
To win the status back, the United States must stop continuous transmission and stay free of outbreaks long enough to show 12 months without endemic spread. It must then submit evidence to PAHO’s commission. Experts quoted by CNN said losing status means the country is on the path to regain it, and that measles is already here regardless of the label.
Officials say the immediate response does not change. The CDC will keep working with states on immunization. The PAHO announcement planned for November 17 should confirm the details, including which strain chain triggered the ruling. Readers should check the CDC’s weekly update for new case counts, since figures will keep rising through year end.
US Measles Case Growth 2026: How Fast Did the Count Rise?
Cumulative Confirmed Cases, 2026 (1 block = 250)
Jul 23 | █████████▎ 2,318
Oct 29 | ███████████████████▍ 4,852
Nov 5 | ████████████████████▋ 5,182
Nov 12 | █████████████████████▋ 5,412
| CDC Data Date | Confirmed Cases | Jurisdictions or Note |
|---|---|---|
| July 23, 2026 | 2,318 | 44 states plus DC |
| October 29, 2026 | 4,852 | 43 new outbreaks |
| November 5, 2026 | 5,182 | 47 jurisdictions, 18 visitors |
| November 12, 2026 | 5,412 | Highest since 1991 |
| Full year 2025 | 2,289 | 45 jurisdictions, 48 outbreaks |
Source: CDC measles cases and outbreaks, as reported by PubMed Central, Tech Times, 2 Minute Medicine and Contagion Live.
The 2026 count passed the entire 2025 total before the end of the year. The CDC reported 2,318 cases on July 23, 4,852 on October 29, 5,182 on November 5 and 5,412 on November 12. The American Hospital Association, summarizing CDC data, says no year since 1991 has had more cases.
Growth continued into November, though the weekly increments are smaller than the peak months. Adults now lead the case count, and the CDC reports outbreak-associated cases rose by 223 in the latest weekly update. About 7 weeks of the year remain, so the final 2026 total will be higher than 5,412. Check the CDC page for the newest number before publishing any figure.
Measles Elimination Status in US FAQ 2026
Has the US Lost Its Measles Elimination Status in 2026?
Yes, according to reports published November 13 and 14, 2026 that cite people with knowledge of a PAHO decision. PAHO planned a public announcement for November 17.
How Long Did the US Have Measles Elimination Status?
26 years, since 2000.
How Many Measles Cases Are There in the US in 2026?
The CDC had confirmed 5,412 cases as of November 12, 2026, up from 2,289 in all of 2025.
How Many People Have Died of Measles in the US in 2026?
State officials have reported 10 deaths. The CDC dashboard lists 6. There were 3 deaths in 2025.
Which State Has the Most Measles Cases in 2026?
Pennsylvania, with 1,529 cases, followed by South Carolina with 670, Utah with 536 and Wisconsin with 505.
What Does Losing Measles Elimination Status Mean?
It means measles is considered to be spreading continuously within the country, with the same chain of transmission persisting for at least 12 months.
How Can the US Regain Measles Elimination Status?
By interrupting continuous transmission for at least 12 months and submitting evidence for international review.
How Many Measles Outbreaks Are There in 2026?
The CDC reports 43 new outbreaks in 2026, and 96% of cases are linked to outbreaks.
What Share of Measles Cases Are Unvaccinated?
96% of 2026 cases were unvaccinated or had unknown vaccination status.
What Is the Kindergarten MMR Vaccination Rate?
92.4% in the 2025-26 school year, down from 95.2% in 2019-20 and below the 95% protection level.
How Many Measles Patients Were Hospitalized in 2026?
591, or 11% of confirmed cases. Children under 5 had the highest rate at 17%.
Which Countries Have Also Lost Measles Elimination Status?
Canada, Spain and the United Kingdom have lost status. Mexico and Guatemala are under review.
How Many Jurisdictions Have Reported Measles Cases in 2026?
The CDC’s November 5 update listed 47 jurisdictions plus 18 cases among international visitors.
Which Age Group Has the Most Measles Cases in 2026?
Adults aged 20 and older, with 2,240 cases, or 41% of the total.
Is the PAHO Decision Official?
PAHO had not published its determination as of November 14, 2026. It planned a public announcement for November 17.
How Many Measles Cases Were Reported in 2024?
The CDC recorded 285 cases and 16 outbreaks in 2024.
How Many Measles Outbreaks Did the US Have in 2025?
The CDC reported 48 outbreaks and 2,289 confirmed cases across 45 jurisdictions.
How Many Kindergartners Lack Full MMR Protection?
About 280,000 lacked documentation of the full MMR series in 2025-26, and about 155,000 had an exemption.
How Many Measles Cases Came From International Visitors in 2026?
18 cases, per the CDC data.
Disclaimer: The data research report we present here is based on information found from various sources. We are not liable for any financial loss, errors, or damages of any kind that may result from the use of the information herein. We acknowledge that though we try to report accurately, we cannot verify the absolute facts of everything that has been represented.
