Measles Is Surging Again in America—Here's Why Experts Are Sounding the Alarm

Measles is making a dangerous comeback in the United States, with cases surging to levels not seen in over three decades. Just weeks into 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recorded 910 measles cases, following 2,280 confirmed cases in 2025—the highest number since the early 1990s. States including South Carolina, Florida, California, Washington, Utah, Arizona, and North Carolina are experiencing significant outbreaks, prompting federal health officials to urge Americans to get vaccinated immediately.

Why Is Measles More Dangerous Than Other Viruses?

Measles is exceptionally contagious—even more so than COVID-19, influenza, polio, or Ebola. What makes it particularly devastating is how it attacks the immune system itself. "Measles enters the body in a way that also destroys cells that protect our immune systems," explains Dr. Michelle Barron, UCHealth's senior medical director for infection control and prevention and a professor of medicine and infectious diseases at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine. This means people who recover from measles often develop secondary infections because their bodies have lost the ability to fight additional illnesses—a phenomenon experts call "immunity amnesia."

The virus spreads with alarming ease. When someone with measles coughs, sneezes, or spits, the virus becomes airborne and can linger in the air for up to two hours. For unvaccinated people exposed to measles, the risk of infection is nearly certain: CDC researchers estimate that nine of every 10 unvaccinated people will develop measles if exposed to someone who has it.

What Are the Serious Health Complications From Measles?

Measles can cause severe, life-threatening complications, especially in young children. The medical risks include:

• Hospitalization: At least one in five unvaccinated people who contract measles will need hospital care.
• Pneumonia: As many as one in every 20 children infected with measles will develop pneumonia, which is the most common cause of death from measles in young children.
• Brain Swelling: About one child of every 1,000 who gets measles will develop encephalitis, or swelling of the brain, which can cause convulsions and leave a child deaf or with an intellectual disability.
• Death: As many as three of every 1,000 children infected with measles will die from respiratory and neurologic complications.
• Pregnancy Complications: Measles may cause unvaccinated pregnant women to give birth prematurely or to deliver low birth-weight babies.

In 2025, measles killed three people in the United States. Among those who contracted measles that year, 26% were under age 5, and an additional 44% were ages 5 to 19—meaning 70% of cases involved children. Of all confirmed measles cases in 2025, 11% required hospitalization.

Why Are Vaccination Rates Dropping?

The resurgence of measles is directly tied to declining vaccination rates. Among people with confirmed measles cases in 2025, 93% had not received their measles vaccines, and in 2026, that number has remained nearly identical at 94%. The decline in vaccination is largely driven by widespread misinformation about vaccine safety, despite the measles vaccine being safe and highly effective.

This is particularly concerning because measles was officially eradicated in the United States in 2000. However, as vaccination rates have dropped due to false information, cases have climbed steadily. The 2,280 cases in 2025 represent the highest number since 1991, when health officials logged 9,643 cases—the year doctors began administering two doses of the measles vaccine. If current trends continue, the United States is likely to lose its status as a measles-free nation.

What Should You Do If You Think You Have Measles?

One of the greatest challenges in controlling measles outbreaks is that people are infectious for up to four days before they develop a rash or feel sick. This means someone can spread the virus without knowing they have it. If you suspect you have measles, experts strongly recommend calling your doctor ahead of time rather than showing up in person. "It's definitely better to call ahead. We are trying to limit who gets exposed. We want to keep everyone safe, so we don't want you sitting in a public space where you could spread the illness," Dr. Barron said. "If they know you're coming, they can get you right into a room. Wear a mask or put on a mask as soon as you get to the facility".

The most important step you can take is to verify your vaccination status and get vaccinated if you haven't been fully protected. "Find out if you're up to date on your vaccines. If you're not, now is a fantastic opportunity to get up to date," Dr. Barron urged. For those concerned about vaccine safety, experts emphasize that healthcare providers have your best interests at heart and can answer any questions you may have.