It’s solely February, and an outbreak of measles infections is already inching towards almost 1,000 circumstances within the U.S. this yr.
Infections are spiking on account of declining vaccination charges, following a steep rise in circumstances in 2025 at 2,280, the highest in 33 years. This week noticed new outbreaks concentrated in South Carolina and Florida.
Right here’s what you might want to know.
What’s occurred?
As of February 12, there have been 910 confirmed measles circumstances in 24 states, in keeping with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (One other six circumstances had been reported amongst worldwide guests to the U.S.)
The states with confirmed circumstances are Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin, per CDC information.
There have been 5 new outbreaks reported in 2026—90% of that are related to outbreaks that began in 2025.
Instances in South Carolina and Florida are spreading
In South Carolina, the biggest outbreak continues to unfold with greater than 900 circumstances confirmed since September, CBS Information reported. The South Carolina Department of Health reported 950 circumstances in and round Spartanburg County as of February 13.
In the meantime, in Florida, greater than 50 nursing college students at Ave Maria College close to Naples have contracted the virus, bringing the entire there to 57 circumstances, USA As we speak reported.
What’s measles?
Measles is a highly contagious virus. An individual is contagious 4 days earlier than exhibiting indicators of a rash, that means they’ll unfold the virus with out understanding they’re contaminated. The virus can keep within the air for as much as two hours after an contaminated individual leaves.
It causes a blotchy, red rash that often seems on the physique three to 5 days after preliminary signs. Getting the measles vaccine (MMR and MMRV) is one of the best ways to guard towards it.
Who’s contracting measles?
Of the 910 circumstances confirmed within the U.S. thus far this yr, 94% of sufferers are both unvaccinated or of unknown vaccination standing, in keeping with CDC information. Solely 2% had obtained one vaccine dose, whereas solely 3% had obtained each doses.
A majority of these contaminated (58%) are ages 5 to 19 years outdated.
Of the 910 circumstances, 277 (25%) had been in folks youthful than 5, 527 (58%) in 5- to 19-year-olds, 136 (15%) in folks ages 20 and older, and 20 (12%) in folks of unknown age.
