U.S. sees highest number of measles deaths in decades as outbreak spreads to 693 cases

The United States has recorded four measles-related deaths so far in 2026, the highest number of deaths from the disease in any year since 1992.

The deaths occurred in Pennsylvania, where the outbreak has grown to 693 confirmed cases across 38 counties. The recent fatalities involved a 40-year-old woman and an 18-year-old individual.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has questioned whether measles was the cause of the first two deaths, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not yet officially logged any measles deaths for 2026.

Public health officials warn that the surge underscores the importance of vaccination and continued surveillance as the outbreak continues to spread.