US Measles Outbreak Escalates, Nearing 1,000 Confirmed Cases
The United States has confirmed a staggering 982 measles cases as of February 19, 2026, according to data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on February 21. This figure is more than four times the number reported at the same point in 2025. Cases have been reported in twenty-six states, with South Carolina, Utah, and Florida being the most affected.
- South Carolina: 632 confirmed cases
- Utah: 117 confirmed cases
- Florida: 64 confirmed cases
The outbreak in South Carolina, which began last fall, has now reached a total of 973 cases. This represents the largest single measles outbreak the United States has seen in a generation. The state’s epidemiologist, Dr. Linda Bell, confirmed that at least 20 people have required hospitalization. The outbreak is concentrated in Spartanburg County, where 95% of the state’s cases have occurred, affecting both adults and children.
Health officials attribute the surge to declining vaccination rates nationwide. CDC data shows that kindergarten vaccination coverage has dropped from 95.2% during the 2019-2020 school year to 92.5% in 2024-2025. This leaves approximately 286,000 kindergartners vulnerable. Only 10 states and Washington, DC, maintain the 95% MMR vaccine coverage needed for herd immunity.
The CDC emphasizes that two doses of measles vaccine are 97% effective in preventing the disease. The vast majority of current cases—94%—involve unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccine status.
Source: NBC News