US measles outbreak hits 4,410 cases across 45 states as toll rises

The United States has confirmed 4,410 measles cases as of October 15, as an outbreak has spread across 45 states and Washington, D.C.

The total rose by 8%, or 330 cases, over the past seven days. About 96% of cases involve people who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown.

Pennsylvania has reported at least 1,200 cases, the largest state figure identified in the available data. The state has also reported six measles-related deaths.

The CDC acknowledges two measles deaths nationally so far this year. Measles-related hospitalisations this year stand at 451.

There have been 42 new measles outbreaks across the country this year. The virus is described as highly contagious.

The latest figures are far above the 285 confirmed cases recorded in 2024. Of those cases, 198 of 285, or 69%, were associated with outbreaks.

Thirty-two jurisdictions reported measles cases in 2024: Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.

The CDC reported 2,289 measles cases in the previous year. A later update recorded 5,948 confirmed measles cases in the United States since the beginning of 2025.

The data also records deaths of two children and one adult from measles last year.