New York and Pennsylvania are among the hardest-hit states as officials warn of declining childhood vaccination rates.
The United States is approaching 3,900 confirmed measles cases in its worst outbreak in more than three decades, with New York and Pennsylvania among the states facing the largest outbreaks as declining childhood vaccination rates fuel renewed transmission.
RELATED: Pennsylvania Reports First Two Measles Deaths Since 1991
International health officials are due to meet to assess whether the United States and Mexico have formally lost their measles-free status as case numbers continue to rise and authorities call for a return to routine vaccination.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a disaster emergency Monday as measles spread through rural areas of the state and neighboring states. As of Oct. 3, New York had recorded 108 cases, including seven in New York City and 101 elsewhere in the state.
The emergency measures expand the range of health professionals authorized to administer vaccines to include paramedics, advanced emergency medical personnel, pharmacists and midwives. Health workers were also authorized to request diagnostic tests.
Measles milestones: US closes in on 4,000 cases as Pennsylvania nears 1,000
With more than 200 new cases, the US now has 3,886 confirmed infections, while Pennsylvania has reached 977.
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📷: CDC / Cynthia S. Goldsmith, William Bellini pic.twitter.com/9Ttn90hFck
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“No one should become seriously ill or die from a vaccine-preventable disease,” Hochul said.
Pennsylvania has also recorded a major outbreak, which began in April west of Philadelphia and had surpassed 1,004 cases by Monday. Lancaster County has been the hardest-hit area, with 391 cases. Most of those affected are adults between 24 and 49 years old. The outbreak has resulted in 198 hospitalizations and five deaths.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro criticized U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which operates under his oversight, took weeks to include the state’s deaths in its official dashboard while questioning whether measles was directly responsible for the fatalities.
Shapiro called for greater access to the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine in affected communities. “Measles does not understand counties, religions or social circles,” he said.
The outbreaks extend beyond the two states. Texas and Utah have reported significant surges, while South Carolina has recorded 997 cases and Ohio has surpassed 200. Low vaccination coverage has also contributed to transmission in Amish communities in Ohio.
The scale of the current outbreak has revived comparisons with previous measles epidemics in the United States. New York City’s last outbreak exceeding 1,000 cases occurred in the early 1990s, when more than 4,500 people were affected. Nationwide, outbreaks from 1989 to 1991 resulted in 55,000 cases and 123 deaths.
🚨 OMS critica a EE.UU. por reducir vacunas infantiles de 18 a 11. Tedros: “no está en consonancia con décadas de evidencia científica”. Expertos alertan repunte de enfermedades prevenibles. EE.UU. ya registró récord de sarampión en décadas. #teleSUR #SaludPública #EEUU #12Ago pic.twitter.com/qcZrdWk1kg
— teleSUR TV (@teleSURtv) August 12, 2026
Text Reads: 🚨 WHO criticizes U.S. for reducing childhood vaccines from 18 to 11. Tedros: “it is not in line with decades of scientific evidence.” Experts warn of resurgence of preventable diseases. U.S. has already recorded highest measles cases in decades.
Health experts have emphasized the virus’s high transmissibility. Measles can spread through the air, where it can remain active for up to two hours, as well as through contact with contaminated surfaces. Up to nine in 10 susceptible people exposed to the virus can become infected.
The latest surge has been linked to misinformation and childhood vaccination coverage falling below the 95 percent threshold. State and federal case counts continue to be adjusted amid a political dispute, while health authorities are urging a return to routine immunization to contain transmission.
The upcoming meeting of international health officials will assess whether the United States and Mexico retain their formal measles-free status as the U.S. outbreak reaches levels not seen in decades.
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