Why 2026 Is a Significant Year for Measles Since 1991 –
The U.S. has recorded 2,318 confirmed measles cases in 2026, spanning 45 jurisdictions, surpassing the full-year total from 2025 before summer travel is even complete. That compares to 2,289 infections for all of 2025, which was itself the worst year in over three decades. This is the highest annual case count since 1991, and cases continue to be reported.
93% of confirmed cases are outbreak-associated, with 35 new outbreaks reported in 2026 alone. The majority of cases have occurred among children and adolescents in communities where vaccination rates have dropped. The nation’s measles elimination status, which has been in place since 2000, remains under active review.
This is not just a domestic concern for travelers
International travel remains a key introduction pathway. The majority of importations involve unvaccinated U.S. residents returning from abroad. Active outbreaks are currently ongoing internationally in Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Guatemala, Iran, Israel, Laos, Morocco, New Zealand, Paraguay, and South Africa, among others. Traveling while unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated — whether internationally or domestically — carries real risk right now.
Where cases are concentrated in the U.S.
South Carolina and Utah together account for more than half of all 2026 cases, with Texas, Florida, Virginia, Arizona, and Pennsylvania also remaining active hotspots. Virginia has seen rapid recent growth, with a significant cluster in a single rural county, a sign that measles continues to spread into new communities.
Symptoms to watch for
Symptoms typically appear 7 to 14 days after exposure. Watch for:
- High fever
- Cough, runny nose, or red and watery eyes
- A red, blotchy rash that usually starts on the face and spreads downward
If you develop these symptoms, call your doctor before going in so they can prepare and prevent spreading measles to others in the waiting room.
How to protect yourself and others
- The MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine is the best protection. Two doses are about 97% effective
- All persons born in 1957 or later without a history of measles disease or two documented doses of MMR vaccine at any point in their lives should complete a lifetime total of two MMR doses, spaced at least 28 days apart
- Infants aged 6 to 11 months should receive one dose of MMR vaccine before traveling, particularly given current domestic and international outbreak activity
- If you are unsure whether you or your children are fully vaccinated, contact your doctor or come see us before your next trip
- The MMR vaccination rate among kindergarten students in the U.S. was 92.5% in the 2024 to 2025 school year, down from the pre-pandemic rate of 95%. That gap is large enough to sustain outbreaks. Getting vaccinated protects your family and the communities you travel through
Questions, concerns, or need an MMR vaccine?
Contact us at TravelBug Health. MMR vaccination for travelers of all ages is one of our specialties, and we are happy to review your vaccination history and make sure you and your loved ones are protected before you travel.
Resources:
- CDC Measles Cases and Outbreaks 2026
- Johns Hopkins U.S. Measles Tracker
- CDC Measles Vaccination Information
- CDC Travelers Health: Measles
