Measles Update: November 6, 2026
Confirmed US measles cases rose 6.8% this week to 5,182, more than double the 2025 total, as three states reported measles-associated deaths.
Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 5,182* confirmed measles cases in 2026, as of November 5.1 The count is up 330 cases (6.8%) from the 4,852 cases reported in
Of these cases, 5,164 were reported by 47 jurisdictions: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, 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, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.¹ The remaining 18 cases occurred among international visitors to the United States.¹
There have been 43 new outbreaks** reported in 2026, and 96% of confirmed cases (4,993 of 5,182) are outbreak-associated.1 Of the outbreak-associated cases, 3,608 came from outbreaks beginning in 2026 and 1,385 came from outbreaks beginning in 2025.1
2026 Measles Cases Reach More Than Double the 2025 Total
For the full year of 2025, the CDC reported 2,289 confirmed measles cases, which means the 2026 count is already 2.3 times higher with nearly 2 months left in the year.1 In 2025, 2,263 cases were reported by 45 jurisdictions, and 26 occurred among international visitors.1 This year’s total is the highest annual count since 1991.4
There were 48 outbreaks reported in 2025, and 90% of confirmed cases (2,066 of 2,289) were outbreak-associated. For comparison, 16 outbreaks were reported in 2024, and 69% of cases (198 of 285) were outbreak-associated. Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000.1
Measles Deaths in New York, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin in a Single Week
State health departments in New York, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin reported three measles-associated deaths between November 2 and November 5, 2026.2-4 None of the three states had recorded a measles death in more than three decades before this year’s outbreaks.4
On November 2, New York and Lewis County health officials announced the death of a child associated with the ongoing outbreak in the rural northern part of the state.2 New York has confirmed 178 measles cases in 2026, with 170 occurring outside New York City.2 Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state disaster emergency in October in response to rising case counts.2
The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported its sixth measles-associated death of 2026 on November 4, involving an unvaccinated Jefferson County resident who tested positive for measles.3 A funeral director identified the patient as a 21-year-old woman who died after postpartum complications, although the state declined to release further details, citing privacy laws.3 Pennsylvania is currently managing the largest measles outbreak in the US.3
On November 5, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) announced the death of an infant, the state’s first measles death since 1990.4,5 The local coroner listed measles as the immediate cause of death, and officials withheld further details, citing the family’s privacy. Wisconsin has recorded 431 cases across 13 counties in 2026, with nine hospitalizations, in its largest outbreak in more than three decades.4
In response, DHS now recommends an early MMR vaccine dose for certain infants aged 6 to 11 months at increased risk of exposure. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective at preventing measles.4
State health departments have now reported eight measles-associated deaths nationwide in 2026, although the CDC’s official count stands at four.4,5 Unlike in prior years, the CDC is not automatically adding deaths confirmed by state officials to its national tally.5 The CDC has confirmed 4,852 cases in 2026, the highest annual total since 1991, following three measles deaths in 2025, the first since 2015.4,5
*It is important to note the CDC says on its website the federal agency is aware of probable measles cases being reported by jurisdictions. However, the data on this page only include confirmed cases 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.
Continue to check back with Contagion for our weekly updates, news announcements around the disease, and clinician commentary. In addition, we have a measles library (https://www.contagionlive.com/clinical/measles) of articles and clinician commentary.
1.Measles Cases and Outbreaks. CDC. Updated November 6, 2026. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html
2.New York reports first measles death in more than 30 years. NBC News. Published November 2, 2026. Updated November 3, 2026. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/new-york-measles-death-rcna607137
3.Pennsylvania reports 6th measles-associated death. The Washington Post. Published November 4, 2026. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/11/04/sixth-person-dies-pennsylvania-measles-outbreak/
4.Wisconsin infant is US’ third measles-related death this week. CNN. Published November 5, 2026. Updated November 5, 2026. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://www.cnn.com/2026/11/05/health/measles-death-wisconsin-infant
5.A baby in Wisconsin has died from measles, the 3rd such US death this week. CIDRAP. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://ww
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