US measles count passes 4,000 in latest CDC update

The CDC reported 4,080 confirmed US measles cases in 2026 as of October 8. The figures published on October 9 substantially exceed the total for all of last year.

The United States recorded 2,289 confirmed cases during all of 2025. This year's national tally includes reports from most states and Washington, D.C.

Pennsylvania's case count has passed 1,000. CBS News also reports five measles-associated deaths under the state's definition. That category covers deaths within 30 days of symptoms where there is clinical evidence of infection and a positive laboratory test, excluding unrelated causes such as a car crash.

Kathy Hochul declared a state emergency in New York on October 5 in response to the outbreak. The measures expand access to vaccination and testing by allowing more healthcare professionals to participate.

CDC figures cited by CBS News show that 95% of patients this year were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status. Those categories are combined, so the figure does not establish that every patient in the group had received no vaccine.

Citing the CDC, CBS News lists high fever, cough, a runny nose and red eyes among early measles symptoms. White spots inside the mouth and a rash may follow.