The CDC is reporting 451 hospitalizations nationwide as health officials ramp up vaccination efforts.
Published on October 16, 2026
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recorded 4,410 measles cases in 2026 so far, an increase of 330 in one week, and has sent an investigator to the state of Pennsylvania to help contain the nation’s largest outbreak.
CDC figures also show 451 measles-related hospitalizations nationwide this year. Children and adolescents aged five to 19 make up 42 percent of cases, followed by adults aged 20 and older, who make up 41 percent. Seventeen percent of cases involved children under five years old.
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Pennsylvania reported 1,222 cases in 42 counties on Wednesday, including 86 new infections since Oct. 9, according to the state health department. The outbreak resulted in 225 hospitalizations and five confirmed deaths associated with measles. State authorities are actively investigating a sixth reported death.
The CDC is sending a so-called “disease detective” from its outbreak intelligence unit to work with state health officials on the Pennsylvania outbreak. This deployment follows Pennsylvania’s request for federal aid, known as Epi-Aid.
Pennsylvania has expanded its vaccination efforts in affected communities. State health center staff have administered more than 5,900 doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine at 202 pop-up clinics since the outbreak began in late April.
On October 5, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of disaster emergency as measles cases increased in neighboring Pennsylvania. The order is in effect until Nov. 4 and increases the number of health care professionals authorized to administer vaccines and provides nurses with greater flexibility to order measles tests.
Measles vaccination coverage among kindergartners in the United States increased from 95.2% in the 2019-2020 school year to 92.4% in 2025-2026, according to CDC data. The agency estimates that about 280,000 kindergartners are at risk because of gaps in vaccination coverage.
Gn Health
