Measles is spreading across the United States at a pace that has already outpaced all of 2025 — and Florida is seeing one of the sharpest surges in the country.
As of July 23, 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 2,318 confirmed measles cases nationwide, surpassing the 2,289 confirmed cases recorded for all of 2025. Florida is one of 45 jurisdictions reporting cases this year.
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Florida’s numbers
Florida has reported 141 confirmed measles cases in 2026, making it the fifth-highest state in the nation for cases this year, according to CDC data. That is a dramatic increase from just eight cases in all of 2025 and 11 cases in 2024.
Only South Carolina (670), Utah (522), Texas (188) and Virginia (176) have reported more cases in 2026. Pennsylvania (134) and Arizona (108) round out the top seven.
Outbreak-driven spread
The vast majority of this year’s cases are tied to outbreaks. According to the CDC, 93% of confirmed 2026 cases — 2,153 of 2,318 — are outbreak-associated. Of those, 782 are linked to outbreaks that began in 2026, while 1,371 stem from outbreaks that started in 2025.
Thirty-five new outbreaks have been reported so far in 2026. An outbreak is defined by the CDC as three or more related cases. That compares with 48 outbreaks reported during all of 2025 and 16 outbreaks in 2024.
Health officials stress that measles is among the most contagious diseases known. The CDC and public health experts consistently point to vaccination as the most effective tool for prevention. The measles, mumps and rubella — or MMR — vaccine is widely available and recommended for children and unvaccinated adults.