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46m ago

U.S. Measles Cases Climb to 733 as College and Community Exposures Spread

Low vaccination pockets are fueling outbreaks, including South Carolina’s nearly 900 cases with pediatric encephalitis.

Image
Measles virus particle, illustration. This virus, from the Morbillivirus group of viruses, consists of an RNA (ribonucleic acid) core surrounded by an envelope studded with surface proteins haemagglutinin-neuraminidase and fusion protein, which are used to attach to and penetrate a host cell. Measles is a highly infectious itchy rash with a fever. It mainly affects children, but one attack usually gives life-long immunity.

Overview

  • The CDC reports 733 confirmed cases so far in 2026, spanning 20 jurisdictions and rising by 145 in a week, with 92% linked to outbreaks.
  • Roughly 94% of patients were unvaccinated or had unknown status, reflecting declining MMR coverage that has fallen below 93% among kindergartners.
  • South Carolina’s outbreak has reached about 876 cases since October with at least 19 hospitalizations and encephalitis in children, the largest U.S. cluster since 2000.
  • Transmission has extended to campuses and public sites, including at least 12 cases at Ave Maria University, two cases with class exposures under investigation at the University of Florida, and a Disneyland visit under monitoring.
  • Health officials issued new exposure alerts for a Pennsylvania urgent care and multiple Northern Virginia locations as contact tracing continues and a PAHO review of U.S. elimination status approaches in April.