AI summary
Summary of article:
The latest data from the US CDC shows that 4,588 measles cases have been reported in the United States in 2026, and the majority of patients have not been vaccinated; Experts have warned that under-reporting is serious and the real number of infections may be much higher than official figures.
Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC ) The latest data released on the 23rd showed that as of the 22nd, a total of 4,588 cases were reported in the United States in 2026.measles The number of confirmed cases is set to double the total number of cases in 2025. Some public health experts believe that the real number of infections in the United States may be much higher than official figures due to under-reporting of cases.
There were 178 new confirmed cases of measles in the United States last week, data shows. Since the beginning of this year, a total of 4,570 cases of measles have been reported in 47 states and territories in the United States, and 18 cases have been linked to international travel. The age group between 5 and 19 years has the highest proportion of cases, accounting for about 42% of the total number of confirmed cases, with a total of 1,914 cases. 479 patients have been hospitalized, about 10% of the total confirmed cases. About 96% of confirmed cases of measles have not been vaccinatedvaccine Or vaccination status is unknown.
Among them, data released by the Pennsylvania Department of Health on the 23rd showed that since the beginning of this year, 1,338 measles cases have been recorded in 44 counties in the state, accounting for about 30% of the total cases in the United States. Last week, 78 new cases of measles were reported in the state and only 16 cases were reported out of the total of 2025.
Andrew Pavia, an infectious disease expert at the University of Utah, said at an academic conference on infectious diseases in Washington on the 23rd that due to under-reporting of cases and other conditions, he estimated that the actual number of measles cases in the United States from the beginning of 2025 may exceed 20,000. He compared measles epidemics to wildfire, believing that an epidemic is easier to control when it is small, but more difficult to control when it spreads. It is very important to take effective prevention and control measures early, and related resources should be made available.
Measles is an acute respiratory infectious disease caused by the measles virus and spread primarily through respiratory droplets and aerosols. Infected people will have symptoms such as high fever, cough, runny nose, watery eyes and rash. In severe cases, it can lead to complications like pneumonia and even death. The US CDC emphasizes that the best way to prevent measles is to get vaccinated with the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR vaccine). When the vaccination rate of the community population exceeds 95%, most people can be protected through herd immunity.
Summary FAQ
-
As of the 22nd, there have been a total of 4,588 confirmed cases of measles in the United States in 2026, more than double the total number of cases in 2025, indicating that the epidemic is significantly increasing.
-
The highest number of cases are among those aged 5 to 19, at about 42%; 479 people have been hospitalized, which is about 10%. About 96% of confirmed cases have not been vaccinated against measles or their vaccination status is unknown, indicating inadequate protection.
-
Experts believe cases are under-reported and estimate the actual number of infections could exceed 20,000 by early 2025. They emphasize that effective prevention and control measures should be taken quickly to increase resource investment and vaccination rates.
