Measles Update: October 16, 2026

News | Articles | October 16, 2026 Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported there were 4410* cases of measles in the US as of October 15, 2026. Week-over-week, the agency added 330 cases, an 8.1% increase. Last week, the federal agency reported there were 4080* confirmed cases.

1 The increase is larger than last week's 5.0% rise, when CDC added 193 cases. 2 The 2026 total is now about 93% higher than the 2289 cases reported for all of 2025. 1 CDC said there were 4392 measles cases reported by 47 jurisdictions: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

A total of 18 measles cases were reported among international visitors to the United States. 1 The federal agency reports there have been 42 new outbreaks** reported in 2026, and 96% of confirmed cases (4228 of 4410) are outbreak-associated (2844 from outbreaks starting in 2026 and 1384 from outbreaks starting in 2025).

1 The outbreak count is unchanged from last week. 2 Hospitalizations and Age Distribution in 2026 Measles Cases CDC reported 451 hospitalizations among the 4410 cases, or 10%. 1 Last week, the agency reported 414 hospitalizations, which means 37 more patients were hospitalized week-over-week.

2 Hospitalization rates varied by age. Children younger than 5 years had a rate of 15% (114 of 742), and adults 20 years and older had a rate of 14% (249 of 1787). 1 Those aged 5 to 19 years had a rate of 5% (88 of 1856).

1 People younger than 20 years account for 59% of cases (2598 of 4410). 1 Adults 20 years and older make up 41% (1787 cases), and the age of 25 cases is unknown. 1 Could a Rare Measles Complication Make a Comeback?

A new report in CDC’s Emerging Infectious Diseases suggests the aftermath of the Philippines’ 2018–2019 measles outbreak, the largest in the World Health Organization Western Pacific Region, may still be emerging as subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a delayed and almost uniformly fatal measles complication.3 Investigators reviewed all 20 children admitted with SSPE to a tertiary pediatric hospital in Quezon City during 2007–2022 and estimated each patient’s year of measles infection.3 Before this analysis, published SSPE data from the Philippines ended in 2015.3 Median patient age was 6.2 years at hospital admission and 0.7 years at reported measles illness.3 Five (25.0%) of the 20 admissions occurred in 2022 alone.3 Estimated infection dates placed four patients within the 2018–2019 outbreak, and all four were admitted during 2020–2022.3 Given the multiyear latency of SSPE, the authors cautioned additional cases might surface over the coming years.3 Investigators could not establish a reported measles history for one-quarter of patients.3 The authors called for strengthened measles surveillance and sustained 2-dose vaccination coverage.3 CDC Disease Detective Going to Pennsylvania to Aid With Measles Outbreaks The state of Pennsylvania accounts for at least 1,200 cases and six measles-related deaths, according to local health officials.4 The state has formally requested CDC assistance through the Epi-Aid program, and the agency plans to send a disease detective to support the response.4 An Epi-Aid is a rapid, short-term investigation, typically one to three weeks and generally on site, in which Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) officers and other CDC subject matter experts provide technical assistance.5 Each team must include at least one EIS officer from outside the requesting jurisdiction, while the requesting public health authority leads the investigation and generally retains custody of the data collected.5 Requests begin with a discussion between the requesting official and CDC, followed by a written email invitation once the agency confirms it can provide support.5 Fewer than 1% of Pennsylvania’s cases have occurred among fully vaccinated individuals, consistent with CDC data showing about 96% of cases nationwide involve people who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown.4 *CDC is aware of probable measles cases being reported by jurisdictions.

However, the data on this page only includes confirmed cases jurisdictions have notified to CDC. **CDC reports the cumulative number of measles outbreaks (defined as 3 or more related cases) that have occurred this year in the US; states have the most up-to-date information about cases and outbreaks in their jurisdictions.

Continue to check back with Contagion for our weekly updates, news announcements around the disease, and clinician commentary. In addition, we have a measles library of articles and clinician commentary. References Measles Cases and Outbreaks.

CDC. Updated October 16, 2026. Accessed October 16, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html Measles Update: October 9, 2026.

Contagion. October 9, 2026. Accessed October 16, 2026. https://www.contagionlive.com/view/measles-update-october-9-2026 Palisoc MP, Ramones MS, Jamora RDG.

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis after measles outbreaks, the Philippines, 2007–2022. Emerg Infect Dis . 2026;32(11). doi:10.3201/eid3211.261395 Kekatos M.

More than 4,400 measles cases reported in US as CDC plans to send ‘disease detective’ to Pennsylvania. ABC News. October 16, 2026.

Accessed October 16, 2026. https://abcnews.com/Health/4400-measles-cases-reported-us-cdc-plans-send/story?id=137315190 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Requesting an Epi-Aid: epidemiologic assistance from CDC. February 2023.

Accessed October 16, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/eis/downloads/requesting-epi-aid.pdf Related to this article