US Measles Outbreak Reaches 733 Cases in 2026 – Experts Call for Urgent Vaccination
9 February 2026
Fellow Nurses Africa – Global Health Desk
Health authorities in the United States have reported a sharp rise in measles cases, with 733 confirmed infections recorded so far in 2026, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The figure, updated as of 5 February 2026, represents a significant increase of 145 cases in just one week and already surpasses the number of cases typically seen in an entire year in the pre-outbreak era. The total for 2025 stood at 2,276 – the highest annual figure since measles was declared eliminated in the US in 2000.
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Nearly all cases (around 95%) have occurred among people who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown, with the majority affecting children and adolescents. Twenty jurisdictions have reported infections, including major clusters in South Carolina (where the outbreak has reached 920 cases), Arizona, Utah, Texas and several others.
Public health experts warn that sustained transmission could lead to the loss of the country’s measles elimination status – a milestone achieved more than two decades ago through high vaccination coverage. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is expected to review the situation in the coming months, following the recent loss of regional elimination status for the Americas.
Senior Official Urges Vaccination
In a television interview on CNN’s State of the Union on 8 February, Dr Mehmet Oz, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, directly appealed to the public: “Take the vaccine, please.”
He described measles as a serious and highly contagious disease for which an effective and safe vaccine exists. “We have a solution for our problem,” Dr Oz said, emphasising that vaccination remains the most reliable way to prevent infection and protect vulnerable groups.
The call comes amid growing concern over declining immunisation rates in some communities, increasing vaccine exemptions and the influence of misinformation.
Why Measles Matters – A Reminder for Healthcare Workers
Measles is one of the most contagious viruses known to medicine. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and it can remain infectious in a room for up to two hours after the person has left.
Typical symptoms include high fever, cough, runny nose, red and watery eyes, and a distinctive red rash that usually starts on the face before spreading. Complications can be severe – especially in young children – and include pneumonia, encephalitis (brain inflammation) and, in rare cases, death.
The MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine provides safe, long-lasting protection. Two doses are recommended for lifelong immunity, with the first dose usually given at 12–15 months and the second at 4–6 years of age.
Global Context and Lessons for Africa
The resurgence in the US forms part of a wider global increase in measles activity, driven by gaps in routine immunisation coverage following disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic and rising vaccine hesitancy.
In Africa, measles remains a major public health challenge. Multiple countries continue to report outbreaks each year, often linked to low vaccination rates in hard-to-reach or conflict-affected areas. Strengthening routine immunisation systems, conducting timely catch-up campaigns and countering misinformation are essential to protect children and prevent unnecessary deaths.
Nurses and midwives play a central role in building community trust, educating families and ensuring high coverage. The current situation in the United States serves as a clear reminder: progress against vaccine-preventable diseases can be reversed when immunisation rates fall below the 95% threshold needed for herd protection.
Health officials in affected US states are intensifying local vaccination efforts, contact tracing and public awareness campaigns. Experts continue to stress that the single most effective intervention remains timely vaccination.
Fellow Nurses Africa will continue to monitor developments and provide updates on global measles trends and immunisation best practice.
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Kehinde Oluwatosin is one of the many editors here at Fellow Nurses Africa and fellownurses.com.
He is a registered nurse with a Master of Science degree in healthcare leadership from the University of Hull, United Kingdom. Kehinde is passionate about advancing the nursing profession across Africa. As Co-Founder of Fellow Nurses Africa, he plays a key role in shaping editorial direction, ensuring our content educates, informs, and empowers nurses continent-wide.
With expertise in leadership, patient flow, and healthcare operations, Kehinde brings valuable insights to nursing news, career development, and policy discussions. He is committed to amplifying the voice of African nurses and driving positive change in the profession.
