3 states battling new measles outbreaks. What to know

3 states battling new measles outbreaks. What to know.

Key points

• The outbreak includes 52 cases in Iowa County, 43 in Lafayette County and three in Grant County.
• Georgia has now documented 11 measles cases this year, making 2026 the state's second-highest annual total previously decade.
• Measles outbreaks continue to expand throughout parts of the United States as health office-holders respond to growing clusters in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Georgia.
• While Butler and Westmoreland counties lately noted their first confirmed cases, community transmission has been identified in 10 counties.
• Measles cases have reached a 35-year high as vaccination rates fall and more families seek vaccine exemptions.

3 states battling new measles outbreaks. What to know. Anthony Thompson USA TODAY. Measles cases hit 35-year high as US vaccinations decline.

U.S. Measles cases have reached a 35-year high as vaccination rates fall and more families seek vaccine exemptions.

In practice, the outbreaks come during the nation's worst measles year in more than three decades. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes more than 2, 700 cases have been noted nationwide in 2026, already surpassing last year's total. Almost all U.S. Cases this year have been linked to outbreaks, highlighting the continued spread of the highly contagious virus. The agency additionally notes that its national case totals are updated weekly and may lag behind state reporting. Notably, the CDC's website remarked a data update on cases scheduled for Aug. 28 was delayed.

Pennsylvania has documented the largest outbreak among the three states that have identified growing cases in recent weeks. On Aug. 25, Pennsylvania confirmed the nation's first measles-associated deaths of 2026. While Georgia health authorities are working to contain a cluster tied to a metro Atlanta daycare, wisconsin is experiencing its largest outbreak in decades. Here's what to know. Pennsylvania outbreak: Cases climb as related deaths documented.

Pennsylvania documented 460 confirmed measles cases as of Aug. 28, including 86 new cases over the previous week, according to the state Department of Health.

Lancaster County remains the center of the outbreak with 210 cases. State health authorities unveiled two measles-associated deaths on Aug. 25, including a newborn infant, nevertheless Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Has disputed whether the deaths were caused by the contagion. Both individuals were unvaccinated.

Pennsylvania authorities say a death may be classified as measles-associated when laboratory or epidemiological evidence links the disease to the infection, even if measles is not listed as the immediate cause of death. While Butler and Westmoreland counties lately noted their first confirmed cases, community transmission has been identified in 10 counties. Wisconsin outbreak: Largest since 1990.

Wisconsin health authorities say 98 cases are tied to an outbreak in the state's southwest region, more than doubling from the previous week's total, USA TODAY network partner Milwaukee Journal Sentinel noted.

Notably, the outbreak includes 52 cases in Iowa County, 43 in Lafayette County and three in Grant County. Including two unrelated infections documented earlier this year, Wisconsin has recorded 100 measles cases in 2026, the state's highest annual total since 1990.

For context, the CDC has deployed two public health workers to assist local investigators with contact tracing and case identification. State authorities say almost every person infected during the outbreak had not received the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Georgia outbreak: Daycare cluster grows.

Georgia health authorities have confirmed four new measles cases in an outbreak linked to a metro Atlanta daycare.

Authorities stated the newly infected children were close contacts of an earlier confirmed case and were either unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated. Health investigators are working to identify extra residents who may have been exposed.

Georgia has now documented 11 measles cases this year, making 2026 the state's second-highest annual total previously decade. Why health authorities are concerned.

For context, the CDC notes 94% of measles cases noted in 2026 are associated with outbreaks, illustrating how rapidly the virus can spread once it reaches communities with lower vaccination coverage. Measles spreads through the air and can remain in a room for up to two hours after an infected person leaves.

Symptoms typically commence with a high fever, cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. A rash usually develops three to five days afterwards, starting on the face before spreading to the rest of the body.

Health authorities recommend that anyone who believes they have measles call a healthcare provider before seeking medical care in person to assist prevent exposing others. The CDC continues to recommend the MMR vaccine as the most effective protection against measles.

Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at [email protected], or on X @athompsonUSAT. Share your feedback to support improve our site!

In short, 3 states battling new measles outbreaks. What to know is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.