'Amnesia' about measles risk and low vaccination rates have helped US infections grow

Published 27 July 2026 · health

The latest US data shows measles cases up to mid-July 2026 totaled more than all the cases in 2025. Experts blame a fall in vaccination

The latest US data shows measles cases up to mid-July 2026 totaled more than all the cases in 2025. Experts blame a fall in vaccination and warn people have forgotten measles can be life-threatening. Behind the familiar symptoms of fever and spots is an extremely contagious virus that can cause lasting harm or death. That's the reality of measles. But many people in the US appear to have forgotten the seriousness of a measles infection, with outbreaks mainly in under-vaccinated communities. In fact, infections have hit a 35-year high as declining vaccination rates have created growing pockets of susceptible people. Experts warn that the fading memories of the once-common disease have left too many people unaware of its dangers. The number of measles cases in the United States up to mid-July 2026 surpassed the total number of cases in 2025. By the week of July 13-19, 2026, the number of reported measles cases was 2,321. By comparison, the total number of US measles cases in 2025 was 2,286*. *Data: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, US Measles Tracker What does the rise in measles cases mean? Johns Hopkins epidemiologist, William Moss, expects the surge in measles cases to result in the US losing the measles-elimination status it has held since 2000.

"The significance of reaching this milestone is that the US has not been able to stop measles virus transmission or outbreaks as it has in the past," Moss told DW. Moss said the virus was now spreading "from one susceptible community to another within the US," rather than being limited to infections brought in from abroad. Measles virus is contagious before spots appear Measles is the most contagious virus on Earth, spreading far more easily than the common cold. Nine out of 10 non-immune people exposed to the virus will become infected. Measles spreads through virus-containing droplets released from an infected person's nose, throat and lungs when they breathe, talk, or cough. The smallest particles can remain suspended in the air long after the person has left the room. Is the US experiencing a vaccine crisis? To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video "You just have to be in somebody's airspace within two hours of them being there," said Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Crucially, people can transmit measles before realizing they are infected. Patients typically become contagious around four days before the characteristic spots or rash appear.