Worst U.S. measles surge in decades

Measles cases are surging across the
U.S. as more people decline to have
themselves or their children
vaccinated, fuelling outbreaks
of a disease declared eliminated
a quarter of a century ago

REPORTED U.S. MEASLES CASES,
1980-2026*

0
5
10
15
20
25
30,000

1980 1990 2000 2010 2020

1980
13,506

1990
27,808

1991
9,643

2026
3,887†

Measles:
Characterised
by skin rash
that appears on
face and behind
ears, spreading to
rest of body

2000: Measles officially
declared eliminated

Worst outbreak in 35 years

2026 WEEKLY CASES (by rash onset date)

Week commencing Jan 4
Sep 27

0
50
100
150
200
250
300

95%
Share of those
infected who
are not
vaccinated‡

Health Secretary Robert 
F. Kennedy Jr’s vaccine
scepticism has raised
concerns about declining
public confidence in
immunisation

Sources: AP, CDC. Pictures: CDC Archive, Creative Commons. *2024-2026 preliminary data subject
to change. †Tally as of Oct 1, 2026. ‡Includes unknown vaccination status
© GRAPHIC NEWS