Seven individuals across seven states are confirmed to have contracted measles, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, signaling a potential resurgence of the highly contagious virus.
The cases have been identified in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, and Virginia, the CDC reported. This follows a larger outbreak that began last fall, primarily centered in South Carolina. As of February 5th, South Carolina alone has recorded 920 infections since the outbreak’s start, with 546 cases reported in 2026, marking the state’s largest measles outbreak to date, according to USA Today.
The rising case numbers are raising concerns that the United States may lose its “measles elimination” status, a designation achieved in 2000 through widespread vaccination efforts. Currently, 20 states are reporting measles cases in 2026, including those with confirmed cases and others experiencing localized spread.
While hospitalizations related to measles have decreased compared to 2025 – three percent of cases required hospital care this year, versus eleven percent last year – the potential for serious complications remains. No deaths have been reported in 2026 so far, but three individuals died from measles in 2025, the highest number since 1991.
Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, urged vaccination on CNN’s “State of the Union” on February 8th, stating, “Take the vaccine, please. We have a solution for our problem.”
Health officials have linked some outbreaks to international travel and a growing number of unvaccinated individuals. An outbreak in Utah, ongoing since June of last year, has been traced to the same measles virus strain that spread from Texas in 2025. As of January 14th, Utah had confirmed over 200 cases, with 147 concentrated in the southwest region of the state.
The CDC maintains a current outbreak list and resources for preventing foodborne and waterborne illnesses, but has not yet issued a formal health alert regarding the current measles situation. The agency’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) continues to monitor and report on infectious disease trends.
The CDC is currently investigating multiple foodborne outbreaks and maintains a toolkit for investigating waterborne disease outbreaks. The agency is also involved in global health security efforts, but has not released a statement regarding international coordination to address the current measles situation.
