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Measles cases in the United States climbed to 2,295 this year, pushing the country past its 2025 total and marking its worst outbreak in 35 years.
The figure was based on a Johns Hopkins University tracker that compiled reports from state and local health departments.
The latest count was nine cases higher than last year’s total, with South Carolina, Utah, Texas, Florida and Arizona among the states reporting the most infections.
Most patients were unvaccinated, underscoring concerns over gaps in immunization coverage despite relatively high vaccination rates across the country.
Public health specialists have said measles vaccination levels must remain above 95 percent to preserve herd immunity and prevent sustained transmission.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention separately listed 2,260 confirmed cases as of July 16 and reported 34 outbreaks this year.
The country last recorded a higher annual total in 1991, when 9,643 measles cases were documented.
Measles can begin with fever, cough, red eyes and a rash, but it may lead to pneumonia, brain inflammation and death, with children facing the highest risk of severe complications.