Measles Update: January 30, 2026

Today, the CDC reported there were 588* cases of measles in the US as of January 29, 2026. In releasing its figures, the federal agency said there were 585 measles cases in 17 jurisdictions including the following: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. There were 3 measles cases reported among international visitors to the US.¹

2025 Measles Cases

Last year, CDC reported there were 2,267 confirmed* measles cases in the US. Among these, 2,242 measles cases were reported by 45 jurisdictions: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, 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, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. A total of 25 measles cases were reported among international visitors to the US.¹

In 2025, there were 3 deaths associated with measles.² Going back through 2000, last year’s cases were the highest total over that period; the next closest year was 2019 when there was 1,274 cases. In 2024, there was 285 cases by comparison. ²

Learn more: Public Health Wake-Up Call: Will the US Lose Measles Elimination Status?

Dropping Immunization Rates and Rising Vaccine Exemptions

Last year, CDC reported that the measles mumps rubella (MMR) immunization rate was 92.5% for kindergartners entering their 2024-25 school year. This was down again from the previous year, which was 92.7%^2. It is important to note, herd immunity occurs only when there is 95% local immunization rates.

This ties into a larger number of vaccine exemptions that families are requesting. During the 2024-2025 school year, exemptions from 1 or more vaccines among kindergartners in the US increased to 3.6% from 3.3% the year before. Exemptions increased in 36 states and Washington DC, with 17 states reporting exemptions exceeding 5%. Additionally the number of kindergartners exempt from 1 or more vaccines was about 138,000 during the 2024-2025 school year.²

These dropping vaccine rates combined with year around measles cases, are endangering the US losing its measles elimination status, which it achieved in 2000.

*It is important to note, the CDC says on its site that the federal agency is aware of probable measles cases being reported by jurisdictions. However, the data on this page only includes confirmed cases jurisdictions notified to CDC. Therefore, there could be higher numbers in the overall US.

Check back next week for further measles updates including commentary from vaccine experts on the rising measles cases and the possibility of the US losing its elimination status.

References
1. Measles Cases and Outbreaks. CDC. January 30, 2026. Accessed January 30, 2026.
https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html

2.Measles Cases and Outbreaks. CDC. July 30, 2025. Accessed August 1, 2025.
https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html

3.Vaccination Coverage and Exemptions among Kindergartners. CDC. July 31, 2025. Accessed August 1, 2025.
https://www.cdc.gov/schoolvaxview/data/index.html