The latest CDC numbers show a 12.76% increase of measles cases from week-to-week. This is a slight decrease in the number of cases from last week where there was a 15.7% increase. The data also shows outbreaks in 3 new states.
Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported there were 1,281* cases of measles in the US as of March 5, 2026. Week-over week, that is an additional 145 cases and a 12.76% increase. Last week, the federal agency reported there was 1,136* confirmed cases.1 This marks a slight decrease in the number of cases from the previous week that saw a 15.7% increase in cases the week ending (February 27).
Reviewing the week-to-week measles CDC data, there has been an increase in the number of new measles cases and the percentage of cases. And the number of outbreaks and jurisdictions (states) have increased as well.
CDC said there were 1,277 measles cases in 31 jurisdictions: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, 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 4 measles cases were reported among international visitors to the US. 1
The latest numbers show 3 more jurisdictions (states) now have outbreaks compared to the previous week.
The federal agency reports “there have been 12 new outbreaks** reported in 2026, and 89% of confirmed cases (1,137 of 1,281) are outbreak-associated (237 from outbreaks in 2026 and 900 from outbreaks that started in 2025).” 1
The Yale School of Public Health did a modeling analysis that showed a sustained 1% annual decline in MMR vaccine coverage could lead to more than 17,000 measles cases, 4,000 hospitalizations, and 36 preventable deaths each year.2 The analysis predicts that over the next 5 years, declining measles vaccination rates could cost $1.5 billion annually and add approximately $7.8 billion in cumulative costs.2
*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.
