The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention counted 4,588 confirmed measles cases in 2026 as of Oct. 22, more than double the 2,289 confirmed cases reported for all of 2025².

CDC said 4,570 of those cases came from 47 jurisdictions and 18 were among international visitors, with the dashboard updated Oct. 23². The agency listed 43 new outbreaks in 2026 and said 96% of confirmed cases this year were outbreak-associated².

Pennsylvania's health department said Oct. 23 that 1,338 measles cases had been confirmed in 44 counties, with 21 newly confirmed since Oct. 21, 255 hospitalizations, and five confirmed measles-associated deaths³. The department said four cases were among vaccinated people, less than 1% of the total³.

NPR, citing Pennsylvania officials, said Lancaster and Mifflin counties, including Amish communities with low vaccination rates, have been heavily affected, and that three of the five deaths were in Lancaster County¹.

The department said more than 39,000 MMR doses were given in the first three weeks of October, above a typical monthly average of about 25,000, and that two MMR doses provide 97% protection³.

Not medical advice.

Sources

1. NPRU.S. measles cases more than double what they were last year as outbreak spreads4:35 PM
2. Centers for Disease Control and PreventionMeasles Cases and OutbreaksOct 23, 12:00 PM
3. Pennsylvania Department of HealthPennsylvania Department of Health Provides Statewide Update on Measles Outbreak as Cases Reach 1,338 in 44 CountiesOct 23, 12:00 PM

Read the original at NPR ↗