As of October 15–16, 2026, the CDC reports 4,410 confirmed measles cases nationwide, up 330 in one week. Pennsylvania accounts for about 1,260 cases across 43 counties, with 238 hospitalizations and five confirmed measles-associated deaths; a sixth is under review.
The CDC is sending an Epidemic Intelligence Service (Epi-Aid) “disease detective” to Pennsylvania after the state requested assistance. Nearly all cases are among unvaccinated or unknown-status individuals.
What parents should do today:
- Confirm household MMR status. Two doses are ~97% effective.
- For infants 6–11 months in or traveling to outbreak areas, ask the clinic about an early dose (counts as dose zero; still need the routine series later).
- Watch for fever, cough, red eyes, and rash 7–21 days after exposure.
- Check recent recalls (gripe water lots, bedside sleepers, etc.) while updating vaccines.
This remains the largest U.S. measles year in 35 years. Vaccination is the proven way to protect infants who cannot yet be fully immunized.
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