178 new measles cases logged, bringing 2026 total to 4,588

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention logged 178 additional cases of measles in the United States this week. This brings the national total for 2026 to 4,588 as of Friday. The number is more than double the count recorded in 2025. At least 43 separate outbreaks are currently active across the country.

Pennsylvania accounts for the largest share of infections. State health officials recorded 1,338 cases in the Commonwealth on the same day. Large outbreaks are also underway in South Carolina and Utah. Both states have reported more than 500 cases each. Measles is highly contagious, and symptoms such as fever and cough often delay diagnosis, meaning official numbers likely undercount the true spread of the virus.

A discrepancy has emerged regarding fatalities. Pennsylvania authorities have confirmed five deaths linked to measles. They are also investigating a sixth case. The CDC has reported only three measles deaths nationwide. The agency has not specified the location of the third death. This lack of detail makes it unclear if the federal count includes one of the Pennsylvania cases.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reportedly asked senior CDC officials in September to remove one death from the official tally. According to Reuters, he questioned whether the disease contributed to the patient's death. This decision has drawn criticism from experts who argue the agency lacks transparency in its reporting.

The federal government is also modifying how vaccine injuries are tracked. The Department of Health and Human Services announced changes to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, or VAERS. A new proposal allows doctors to bill for reporting suspected vaccine injuries. The system has long been used by researchers to monitor rare safety issues, though it has also become a focal point for anti-vaccine activism.

Kennedy has reshaped the advisory structure for vaccine safety. He fired all 17 members of the expert panel that previously reviewed vaccine changes. He replaced them with individuals aligned with his views. A court blocked the appointment of these new members in March. During his tenure, the secretary has made several public claims, including that children receive more than 90 vaccine doses and that vitamin A can help treat measles.

The measles vaccine remains 97% effective at preventing the disease. Side effects typically include soreness at the injection site and a low-grade fever. Despite the high efficacy, the illness continues to hospitalize approximately one in five unvaccinated individuals who contract it.