The latest CDC numbers show a 6.2% increase of measles cases from week-to-week. Last week there was a 5.4% increase in cases showing a continuing steady increase dictated by ongoing outbreaks across the US.
News|Articles|April 3, 2026
Measles Update: April 3, 2026
Author(s)John Parkinson
The latest CDC numbers show a 6.1% increase of measles cases from week-to-week. This is a slight increase in the percentage of cases from last week where there was a 5.92% increase.
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Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported there were 1,671* cases of measles in the US as of April 2, 2026. Week-over week, that is an additional 96 cases and a 6.10% increase. Last week, the federal agency reported there was 1,575* confirmed cases.1 This marks a slight increase in the number of cases from the previous week that saw a 5.92% increase in cases the week ending, March 26.
CDC said there were 1,661 measles cases were reported by 33 jurisdictions: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. A total of 10 measles cases were reported among international visitors to the US.1
The federal agency reports “there have been 17 new outbreaks** reported in 2026, and 94% of confirmed cases (1,570 of 1,671) are outbreak-associated (374 from outbreaks in 2026 and 1,196 from outbreaks that started in 2025).” 1
Hospitalizations
Last year, there was a greater number of hospitalizations in terms of the overall number of cases and the percentage of cases that required it.
In 2025, 11% (242 of 2,286 measles cases) required hospitalization. Thus far for 2026, 5% (91 of 1,671 measles cases) required hospitalization. Typically, cases start to decrease in the warmer months, but if last year is any indicator, cases could still be reported at a higher rate for several more months.
A common theme between last year and this year is the impact on children under 5 years of age who have been hospitalized. In this group, 9% of children in 2026 and 18% of children in 2025 have been hospitalized. These are the largest number of any of the age groups that have been hospitalized.
*It is important to note that the CDC says on its website that the federal agency is aware of probable measles cases being reported by jurisdictions. However, the data on this page only include confirmed cases that jurisdictions notified the CDC about. Therefore, there could be higher numbers in the US overall.
**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.
References
1.Measles Cases and Outbreaks. CDC. April 3, 2026. Accessed April 3, 2026.
https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html
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