US reports highest number of measles cases in 35 years

The United States has recorded an alarming surge in measles cases this year, reaching a 35-year high with over 5,000 confirmed infections. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 5,182 confirmed measles cases have been reported across the nation in 2026 alone, compared to just 2,289 cases throughout 2025. This marks the highest number of measles cases documented by the CDC since 1991.

The resurgence of measles is primarily attributed to declining vaccination rates and heightened public skepticism towards health authorities. Measles was officially declared eradicated from the US in 2000 due to widespread vaccination efforts, but the recent increase in cases suggests that these gains may be at risk.

Tragic deaths linked to measles have been reported across the country, with at least eight fatalities, including young children. Pediatrician Adam Ratner, specializing in infectious diseases, emphasized that such deaths are entirely preventable through vaccination.

The decline in vaccination rates and growing distrust of health authorities, particularly following President Donald Trump's health secretary Robert Kennedy Jr.'s vaccine skepticism, have fueled this recent measles outbreak. Kennedy Jr. has repeatedly spread misinformation about the measles vaccine and downplayed the severity of the disease, further exacerbating public concerns.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has expressed doubts about the seriousness of measles and the gravity of related deaths, suggesting that these consequences will ultimately impact children who are not the ones making vaccination decisions. Measles is a highly contagious disease that causes fever, respiratory symptoms, and a distinctive rash.

In severe cases, it can lead to complications such as pneumonia and brain inflammation, potentially resulting in long-term health issues or death. Despite the development of the measles vaccine in the early 1960s, the disease still claims tens of thousands of lives globally each year.