US measles cases exceed 5,000 in 2026, highest annual total in 35 years
At least eight deaths reported; declining vaccination rates fuel measles comeback, while Ratner says Kennedy does not believe it is a big problem
The United States has recorded more than 5,000 measles cases so far this year, the highest annual figure in 35 years, according to data released Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). State health authorities have reported at least eight deaths, including among very young children; the disease has made a significant comeback in recent years, fuelled by declining vaccination rates and growing public distrust of health authorities.