Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed 66 new US measles infections, raising the country’s 2026 total to 982, while South Carolina’s 2025-26 outbreak grew by 11 cases, to 973 total.
7 outbreaks began in 2026
In its weekly update, the CDC said 976 of the US cases were in 26 states, while six are related to international travel. The agency also confirmed seven new outbreaks in 2026, compared with 49 that began in 2025.
Of the 982 cases so far this year, 870 (89%) are tied to an outbreak, which the CDC defines as three or more related cases. The vast majority (92%) of those are tied to outbreaks that began in 2025 and have continued into this year. Last year, the country saw 2,281 measles cases, the most in several decades, but the United States is on track to easily surpass that later this year.
On its measles tracker, CNN reported 1,030 US measles cases so far this year. It noted that the country didn’t top 1,000 cases last year till almost May.
The CDC said 25% of cases have been in children under five years old, while 84% have been in children and young adults through age 19. Fully 94% of patients have been unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccine status. Thirty-eight patients (4%) have required hospitalization, compared with 11% last year. No measles-related deaths have been reported so far in 2026.
South Carolina has been by far the hardest-hit state this year, with 632 CDC-confirmed cases, followed by Utah (117), Florida (64), Arizona (36), and Washington state (24).
The rise in measles cases comes amid a tepid federal response to outbreaks and following lower uptake of measles-fighting vaccines. In its update today, the CDC said only 10 states and Washington, DC, have maintained at least 95% coverage of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine among kindergartners, which is the level considered to provide “herd immunity” to protect the larger community. Idaho has the lowest reported coverage, at 78.5%.
South Carolina outbreak hits 973 cases
South Carolina’s 11 new cases bring the total for its outbreak—which began last fall—to 973 infections, the South Carolina Department of Public Health (SCDPH) noted today. The outbreak is centered in Spartanburg County in the Upstate region.
The latest measles exposure sites include two churches, a Costco, and a community college in Spartanburg. Of the 973 infections statewide, 923 (95%) have been in Spartanburg County, with 35 (4%) in neighboring Greenville County.
The measles vaccine (MMR and MMRV) is the best way to protect yourself and others against measles.
Of all case-patients, 93% have been unvaccinated. Ninety percent of cases have involved children, including 26% involving preschoolers.
The SCDPH said, “The measles vaccine (MMR and MMRV) is the best way to protect yourself and others against measles.”
More infections in other states
Elsewhere, Arizona logged four new measles cases this week, bringing its 2026 total to 49. The Virginia Department of Health has confirmed two measles cases in northern Virginia, bringing the state’s total to 10 so far this year. The state confirmed only five cases in all of 2025.
In northwest Washington, the Snohomish County Health Department has recorded eight new cases in the past three weeks, raising its outbreak count to 14. The entire state now has 26 confirmed cases, according to the Washington State Department of Health.
Florida numbers are harder to pin down, given the lack of reporting by the state health department. Media reports have listed 68 cases, the CDC cites 64 on its measles map, while CNN’s tracker notes 92 cases. And Ave Maria University appears not to be updating its outbreak numbers. Recent reports note at least 57, but the university’s latest update only mentions 66 confirmed cases in Collier County, its home county, through February 14.
Finally, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has confirmed its fourth measles case of the year, in an international traveler who may have exposed others in the county.
