The United States is facing its worst measles outbreak in more than three decades. Since the start of 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recorded 43 outbreaks and 4,852 confirmed cases up to 30 October, in a country where the disease was considered eliminated in 2000.
Seven measles-related deaths have been counted since then, seven times the figure for the previous 20 years. The most recent known victim is a child in New York State, the first measles death there in more than 30 years.
Measles is highly contagious but can be prevented with the MMR vaccine. Most cases involve unvaccinated people or people whose vaccination status is unknown. Experts warn that declining vaccination coverage has been building for years and that official scepticism could deepen public distrust.