02/26/2026
This week, 100 new measles cases were reported across 14 states, 15 fewer than were reported last week. January’s high case numbers were largely driven by an ongoing outbreak in South Carolina, which, at one point, was reporting more than 200 people infected each per week. That outbreak has begun to slow down, with 17 new cases reported this week. In total so far this year, 1,270 people have been infected with measles, more than half the number reported in all of 2025.
South Carolina recorded its fewest number of new measles cases since December (17 cases). As of February 24, there are 91 people in quarantine and one person in isolation. A majority of the state’s cases have remained in Spartanburg County, but six other counties have also had cases related to the outbreak. Nearly half of the cases have been in children ages five to 11. On February 25, a local report revealed there have been 21 hospitalizations since the outbreak began. Some reports indicate that children in South Carolina are suffering from encephalitis, a complication of measles, but state laws do not require hospitals to report measles-related admissions. According to the CDC, so far in 2026, 4% of people infected with measles have been hospitalized, but this likely is an under-estimate given South Carolina’s lack of reporting requirements.
As of February 21, Florida recorded 22 new measles cases for a 2026 total of 114 people infected. A majority of them (83) have been in Collier County, where Ave Maria University is located. The outbreak at Ave Maria University began in January. It's not clear how many of the 83 people infected in Collier County are students at Ave Maria, but 78 of them are between the ages of 15 and 24.
The outbreak along the Utah/Arizona border that began in August of 2025 continued this week, with 19 new cases reported in Utah. The state has reported, each week, on average, 20 more people found to be infected so far this year. In total, the state has reported 319 people across 2025 and 2026. Arizona reported six new cases this week. In total, Arizona has reported 260 outbreak-related people and 275 total people spanning 2025 and 2026.
New Mexico reported its first case in 2026 when a federal inmate tested positive in the Hidalgo County jail. It is not known how many people may have been exposed, but the state health department is working with the county to quarantine, isolate, test and vaccinate. Last year, New Mexico recorded 100 cases of measles, seven hospitalizations, and one death.
Ohio reported six new cases of measles, all unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children. Five of those children are associated with an outbreak and come from two households with no known travel history. Franklin County’s vaccination rate was 84.9%* in 2024-2025, which is much lower than the vaccination coverage (95%) needed for herd immunity to stop the spread of the virus. The total cases of measles in Ohio so far in 2026 is nine.
*We use vaccination data gathered from by the Washington Post and downloaded from this website (Github).
Texas reported seven cases over the past week. One case in Kendall County, one in Lubbock County, and five in Bandera County where an unvaccinated household caught measles after out-of-state travel.
North Dakota reported 12 new cases this week, for a total of 19 cases in 2026. A majority (17) have been in Pembina County. Four people have been hospitalized and a majority of cases (68%) have been in people who are unvaccinated or have unknown status. California (+2), Georgia (+1), North Carolina (+1), Oregon (+1), Pennsylvania (+3), and Washington (+2) all reported new cases over the past week.
Two airports announced measles exposures over the past week; Columbus International, and Denver International airport. Departments of health in those areas state anyone at those airports is at risk of exposure but those who are vaccinated have a low risk of getting sick.
