U.S. Marks One Year Since First Measles Death in a Decade

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Thursday marks one year since the U.S. recorded its first measles death in a decade. The death occurred during an outbreak in West Texas and involved an unvaccinated child. Since then, measles cases have been reported across the country, with significant outbreaks in Texas and South Carolina. The virus has now spread to Georgia, where health officials have confirmed two cases this year.

Why it matters

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can lead to serious complications, especially in unvaccinated individuals. The recent outbreaks highlight the importance of vaccination efforts and the ongoing public health challenges posed by vaccine hesitancy in certain communities.

The details

The first measles death in the U.S. in a decade occurred in West Texas during an outbreak last year. In South Carolina, an outbreak in the Upstate has led to 979 cases, though the number of new cases is dropping. The virus has now spread to Georgia, where health officials have confirmed two cases in 2026 after 10 cases were reported in 2025.

• On February 26, 2026, the U.S. marks one year since its first measles death in a decade.
• In South Carolina, the outbreak has led to 979 cases since the start, with 6 new cases reported this week.
• In Georgia, the state reported its second measles case of 2026 in Bryan County, after 10 cases were reported in 2025.