The United States is experiencing a second consecutive record-breaking year for measles cases, with 2026 already surpassing figures from any year since 1991. The disease, declared eliminated in the US in 2000, has seen more cases in the past 18 months than in the preceding 25 years combined. Weekly reports from the CDC indicate ongoing outbreaks, with South Carolina reporting the highest number of cases in 2026. An outbreak in Spartanburg County, which began in October and ended in April, was the largest in decades, with nearly 1,000 cases.

Dr. Andrew Racine of the American Academy of Pediatrics labels this a "public health failure" as most cases are among unvaccinated children. Responding to these outbreaks is a significant challenge for US health departments, requiring extensive time and resources for contact tracing. The vast majority of cases, over 90%, are in unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status.

International health officials will assess the US's measles elimination status in November, particularly concerning ongoing outbreaks along the Utah-Arizona border. Despite challenges, some areas with high vaccination rates, like Reverend Scott Neely's congregation in Spartanburg, demonstrate the effectiveness of vaccines and community cooperation in preventing spread.