CDC logs 178 new measles cases, raising 2026 US total to 4,588
Pennsylvania officials report five deaths, a figure that conflicts with the CDC’s national tally of three.
By Harper Hassan ·
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 178 new measles cases in the United States on Friday, bringing the total for 2026 to 4,588. This figure is more than double the count recorded in 2025.
At least 43 active outbreaks are currently spreading across the country. Pennsylvania accounts for 1,338 of the confirmed cases, making it the hardest-hit state. South Carolina and Utah are also reporting large clusters, with each state logging more than 500 cases.
Data discrepancies exist between state and federal records regarding fatalities. Pennsylvania authorities have confirmed five measles-associated deaths and are investigating a sixth. The CDC has listed only three national deaths. The agency has not specified the location of the third death, leaving it unclear if that case is included in the Pennsylvania count.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has faced scrutiny over his management of the agency’s data. According to Reuters, Kennedy asked senior CDC officials in September to remove a specific measles death from the official tally. He questioned whether the virus directly contributed to that patient's death.
The department is also altering how vaccine injuries are tracked. The Health and Human Services Department announced a proposal this week that would allow physicians to bill for reporting suspected vaccine injuries. This change targets the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, or VAERS, which researchers use to monitor rare safety issues.
Kennedy has restructured the expert board that evaluates vaccine risks. He removed the 17 original members and replaced them with individuals aligned with his views, a move a court blocked in March. The secretary has also made several public claims about the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, stating it contains aborted fetal debris and suggesting vitamin A can help children with the illness.
The measles virus is highly contagious, affecting one in five unvaccinated people who contract it. Hospitalization rates for unvaccinated patients are high, and the disease causes one to three deaths per 1,000 cases. The vaccine remains 97% effective at preventing the illness.
Source: The Guardian
