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The number of measles cases in the United States this year has surpassed last year's total, marking the highest number recorded in more than 30 years, according to Johns Hopkins University.
According to the university's measles tracker, there have been 2,295 measles cases this year, surpassing the 2025 total of 2,289. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hasn't updated its measles figures since July 17, so the agency's tally doesn't reflect the record.
At about 2,300 cases, this record is the highest number of measles infections the country has seen since 1990, when 27,808 cases were recorded. Cases fell rapidly that year following an aggressive vaccination campaign and the rollout of the two-dose measles vaccine schedule the year before.
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Measles was officially eliminated in the U.S. in 2000. However, this distinction is now in question, as measles transmission has persisted for more than a year, the criterion for losing elimination status. Canada lost its elimination status last year, while the U.S. and Mexico are scheduled to meet with the Pan American Health Organization in November to review their respective elimination statuses.
After achieving elimination status, the U.S. typically saw a few dozen to a few hundred measles cases a year — 2019 was an outlier, with about 1,300 reported cases. There are still five more months left in the year, meaning the U.S. is likely to exceed last year's number.
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As of the most recent CDC update, 34 new measles outbreaks have been declared this year, with 44 jurisdictions reporting cases.
Measles symptoms
Measles, also known as rubeola, is highly contagious and can lead to serious complications. According to the CDC, symptoms usually begin seven to 14 days after infection.
The disease can be dangerous, especially for babies and young children. About one to two weeks after contact with the virus, measles typically begins with:
- High fever (it can spike to more than 104°)
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes (conjunctivitis or pink eye)
About two to three days after symptoms begin, small white spots (Koplik spots) may appear in the mouth.
A measles rash will appear about three to five days after the first symptoms. "It usually begins as flat red spots that appear on the face at the hairline," according to the CDC. "They then spread downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet."
To avoid measles, the CDC recommends that patients talk to their healthcare providers about the MMR vaccine. "Most people who are vaccinated with MMR or MMRV will be protected for life," said the CDC.
"Vaccines and high rates of vaccination have made these diseases much less common in the United States, compared to the period before these vaccines were available."
