The report, published August 20, 2026, in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, identified 5,322 reported U.S. cases during the two-year study period: 2,803 in 2024 and 2,519 in 2025.

What changed in 2024 and 2025

CDC researchers found that clade IIb, the subclade associated with the 2022 U.S. outbreak and continued domestic transmission, remained present at low levels rather than disappearing.

Reported cases rose during part of 2025. The CDC counted 873 cases during September and October 2025, compared with 423 during the same two months in 2024. Cases then declined to 448 during November and December 2025, returning to background levels by the end of December, according to the report.

The geographic pattern was also broad. Cases affected 364 counties or municipalities in 2024 and 326 in 2025. The CDC did not describe the pattern as a new nationwide surge. Instead, researchers said the combination of persistent transmission and spread across hundreds of jurisdictions suggests a possible transition toward endemic circulation.

What “endemic circulation” means

In this context, endemic circulation means a disease remains present through ongoing, lower-level transmission rather than appearing only in a short-lived outbreak. The CDC’s wording is cautious: It does not say mpox has definitively become endemic in the United States.

Current levels also remain far below the 2022 peak. The CDC reported that clade II cases reached approximately 3,000 per week during that outbreak, while the current analysis describes persistent background transmission—not a repeat of the rapid rise that prompted widespread public-health action.

Vaccination and hospitalization

The report also examined hospitalization risk. Among 860 cases with available information, unvaccinated patients had 9.73 times the odds of hospitalization compared with patients who had completed the two-dose JYNNEOS vaccination series, after the analysis controlled for age group and HIV status. The 95% confidence interval ranged from 2.93 to 60.65.

That estimate should be interpreted carefully. It covered only 39% of the U.S. cases in the analysis, and vaccination status was missing for most patients. The finding shows an association in the CDC analysis; it does not, by itself, prove that vaccination caused the lower hospitalization odds.

People who may be at elevated risk should check whether they are eligible for the two-dose JYNNEOS series. Anyone with symptoms or a possible exposure should contact a health care provider or local health department for testing, treatment and prevention guidance.

Clade IIb remains the main domestic concern

The report distinguishes persistent clade IIb circulation from clade Ib cases identified in the United States. The CDC reported 11 clade Ib cases during 2024 and 2025. Most were associated with travel or links to travelers, and the report found no sustained clade Ib transmission during that period.

Two clade Ib sequences were part of a geographically limited domestic cluster in late 2025. The CDC said that local transmission involved three cases linked to a travel-associated introduction and did not result in further spread.

CDC guidance says clade II is circulating at low levels. It also says the risk from clade I to most people in the United States remains low.

What officials are watching next

The CDC is emphasizing continued case reporting, genetic sequencing, focused education and vaccination coverage. Sequencing can help public-health officials detect changes in transmission and identify imported or emerging clades.

The analysis also has limits. Passive surveillance may miss mild infections for which people do not seek care, so reported cases may underestimate the number of infections. Recent CDC case counts are also subject to reporting delays and should be treated as preliminary when the agency labels them that way.

For readers, the main takeaway is that mpox did not disappear after the 2022 outbreak. The latest CDC evidence points to low-level, geographically dispersed clade IIb transmission and a possible shift toward persistent background circulation—an important surveillance concern, but not an announcement of a new emergency.

Sources

• CDC MMWR: Monkeypox Virus Surveillance — United States, 2024–2025
• NEJM Evidence: Detection of Community Transmission of Clade Ib Mpox Virus in the United States

The Pennsylvania Department of Health announced the deaths on August 25, 2026, saying they were the first measles-related deaths in the state in 35 years. The Associated Press reported, citing Pennsylvania officials, that they were also the first reported U.S. measles deaths of 2026. In a separate update issued August 28, the state reported 36 new positive cases since August 26, 83 hospitalizations and two cumulative measles-associated deaths.

Those figures show the immediate stakes of the outbreak. A CDC report published August 27 points to a related but less visible problem: officials can struggle to determine the current direction of an outbreak because case reports arrive after infections occur.

Why reported totals can lag behind transmission

Measles cases do not enter public-health data at the same moment people become infected. A person may need to seek care, receive testing and undergo a case investigation before the illness is confirmed. Health officials may also add or correct the date when a rash began after more information becomes available.

That creates a gap between cases already reported and infections that likely occurred recently. A short-term decline in newly reported cases therefore does not automatically mean that transmission is slowing. Some recent cases may still be waiting for testing, investigation or data entry.

What CDC studied in South Carolina

In the August 27 report in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, researchers evaluated an EpiNow2-based nowcasting model during South Carolina’s measles outbreak from October 2025 through March 2026. The outbreak ultimately reached 997 reported cases.

The model used the timing of rash onset and public-health reporting to adjust provisional case data for reporting delays. It produced estimates of more current case counts and the effective reproduction number, or Rt. Rt is an estimate of the average number of secondary infections generated by an infected person at a given time. It can indicate whether transmission is increasing, roughly stable or decreasing, but it is not a direct count of infectious people and includes uncertainty.

Nowcasting is not forecasting. It does not predict how many cases will occur in the future. It estimates what may already have happened but has not yet been fully recorded.

Where the model helped

In South Carolina, nowcasting generally improved estimates of the outbreak’s cumulative size compared with provisional counts. Rt estimates also generally captured the underlying direction of transmission. Those signals helped public-health officials make decisions about staffing and response capacity while the official line lists were still incomplete.

The model was especially useful when later data showed that an apparent decline was real rather than simply the result of reporting delays. CDC said the estimates supported decisions to maintain or add staffing during periods of concern and later helped officials de-escalate response efforts when declines appeared more reliable.

Where the model fell short

Accuracy weakened when reporting conditions changed quickly. During a rapid increase in cases in January, provisional data were much less complete than expected because of backlogs and later backfilling. On January 6, 2026, the provisional data contained only 25.7% of the final cases for the relevant period, and the nowcast underestimated the eventual count.

The model still identified the broader trend as increasing during that period, but it missed some short-term declines later in January. Missing rash-onset dates, changing reporting patterns and incomplete provisional line lists also made the estimates less reliable. CDC said the approach works best when reporting delays and data-collection practices remain relatively stable.

What the study means for Pennsylvania

The CDC report evaluated South Carolina data. It did not publish a nowcast for Pennsylvania, and the study does not establish that the model would perform the same way there. Its accuracy would depend on timely, consistent reporting, complete date fields and the practices used by Pennsylvania health officials and health care providers.

The broader lesson is that nowcasting can improve situational awareness, but it does not replace confirmed case counts, laboratory testing, contact tracing or local public-health judgment. It is a decision-support tool for interpreting incomplete information, not a substitute for completing investigations.

Pennsylvania’s August 28 figures should also be kept separate from CDC’s national totals. The CDC measles page said its data were current through August 20, 2026, that the 2025–26 counts were preliminary and subject to change, and that the scheduled August 28 update had been delayed.

What residents should do

Two doses of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine provide the strongest routine protection against measles. Pennsylvania officials say two doses provide 97% protection. People who are unsure of their vaccination status should contact a health care provider or health department.

Possible measles symptoms include fever, cough, a runny nose, red or watery eyes and a rash that typically begins on the head and spreads downward. Anyone who may have been exposed or develops possible symptoms should call ahead before seeking medical care so health workers can reduce the risk of exposing other patients and staff.

Pennsylvania residents should use the state Department of Health and local health departments for the latest case, exposure and vaccination information. The state’s public updates may change as investigations are completed, just as CDC’s national totals can change when jurisdictions submit or revise reports.

Sources

• Pennsylvania Department of Health statewide measles update — August 28, 2026
• CDC MMWR nowcasting study — South Carolina, October 2025–March 2026
• Associated Press report on Pennsylvania measles deaths

As of noon Thursday, July 30, the CDC had received reports of 2,371 confirmed measles cases in 2026. That compares with 2,289 confirmed cases reported during the full year of 2025. The 2026 figure is preliminary, reflects only cases notified to the CDC by the cutoff, and is not a final total for the year.

The milestone comes as summer travel continues and schools prepare to reopen. The immediate risk is not uniform nationwide: the CDC says overall risk to the general population remains low, but exposure risk is higher in communities with active outbreaks or lower vaccination coverage.

What the CDC numbers show

Of the 2,371 cases reported this year, 2,355 came from 45 jurisdictions and 16 were reported among international visitors to the United States.

The CDC also reported 37 new outbreaks in 2026. The agency said 2,219 cases, or 94% of the national total, were outbreak-associated. That includes 846 cases linked to outbreaks that began in 2026 and 1,373 cases linked to outbreaks that began in 2025.

The CDC defines a measles outbreak as three or more related cases. States and local health departments may show newer or different totals because they update on different schedules. The CDC’s national page includes confirmed cases notified to the agency as of noon each Thursday; it does not include every probable case being handled by jurisdictions.

Spread is concentrated in some communities

Associated Press reporting identified major ongoing outbreaks in South Carolina, Utah and Arizona. AP also reported that official counts may understate the true spread because some people do not seek medical care, are not tested or are not fully captured by public-health investigations.

Those state reports and expert estimates should not be confused with the CDC’s confirmed national count. Confirmed-case surveillance measures known disease activity, but it cannot provide a complete count of every infection. The CDC’s published total may also change as jurisdictions submit additional information or revise case classifications.

Vaccination coverage remains below the community-protection level

National kindergarten MMR coverage fell from 95.2% during the 2019–20 school year to 92.5% during the 2024–25 school year, according to the CDC. The agency estimated that about 286,000 kindergartners were at risk during the 2024–25 school year.

The CDC says communities generally need coverage above about 95% for most people to be protected through community immunity. Local rates can be substantially lower than the national average, allowing measles to spread more quickly after an imported case or exposure during travel.

Lower coverage does not mean every community faces the same immediate danger. The CDC says risk is higher where outbreaks are active or where pockets of unvaccinated people exist.

What wastewater monitoring can show

The CDC’s measles wastewater page, updated July 31, says monitoring can detect measles virus in community samples, including virus shed by people who do not have symptoms. It may provide an earlier community-level signal than clinical testing and is used alongside case reports and other public-health information.

A wastewater detection does not prove that a particular person has measles or establish that confirmed clinical cases exist at a specific site. The CDC says detections can help health departments investigate possible symptoms or diagnoses, alert health care providers, increase public outreach or offer vaccination clinics.

What families and travelers should do

Parents should check children’s immunization records before the 2026–27 school year and ask a health care professional about catch-up vaccination if records are incomplete. People planning international travel should review measles vaccination guidance before leaving the country.

Measles commonly begins with fever, cough, a runny nose and pink eye, followed by a rash that often starts on the face and spreads downward. Anyone with suspected measles or a known exposure should call a health care provider or health department before going to a clinic, school or emergency department.

Calling ahead allows health workers to reduce exposure to other patients and staff. Under medical and public-health guidance, some people without evidence of immunity may qualify for post-exposure protection, including MMR vaccine within 72 hours of exposure or immune globulin within six days.

Sources

• CDC: Measles Cases and Outbreaks
• Associated Press: 2026 U.S. measles case count tops last year's

The Alaska Section of Epidemiology issued its alert July 27. The finding is an early warning signal, not a confirmed measles case and not proof that transmission is occurring in Anchorage.

What officials detected

WastewaterSCAN notified Alaska health officials that metagenomic sequencing detected measles virus RNA in samples collected on the four dates. Additional testing indicated that the RNA concentrations were very low.

The sequencing identified the wild-type measles strain rather than the vaccine-attenuated strain that can sometimes be shed after vaccination. That distinction still does not identify an infected person, pinpoint a location within the sewer system, establish a source or confirm active transmission.

Area covered by the finding

The Anchorage sewershed includes the city of Anchorage and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. It does not include Eagle River or Girdwood.

State officials said the combined results indicate measles virus activity in that sewershed during July 7–14. As of the July 27 state alert and Anchorage reporting published July 29, no confirmed human measles case had been identified in Anchorage.

Wastewater monitoring is a population-level surveillance tool. It can provide an early signal of disease activity, but it cannot identify the source, locate an individual, determine whether transmission is occurring or confirm a human measles case. Residents are not at risk of contracting measles from the wastewater itself; measles spreads through respiratory transmission.

Why families should check records

The timing makes vaccination records especially important for families preparing for the school year. The Alaska Department of Health says children should receive two doses of measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, vaccine on the routine schedule. The CDC lists the usual doses at 12–15 months and 4–6 years.

Adults should discuss vaccination with a health-care provider if they do not have documented immunity. The CDC recommends at least one documented MMR dose for adults without evidence of immunity, while some higher-risk adults—including health-care personnel, international travelers and students at post-high-school institutions—are recommended to have two doses.

Alaskans can review immunization records through the Docket app or web version, by contacting a health-care provider or through the state’s immunization-record request process. Checking records now can help families identify missing or uncertain doses before students return to classrooms.

The wastewater result does not establish that an Anchorage school is experiencing an outbreak, and it does not show that classes will be disrupted.

What to do if symptoms appear

People with possible measles symptoms—including fever, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis and a spreading rash—should call a health-care provider before visiting a clinic or emergency department. Calling ahead allows staff to arrange a safer evaluation and reduce exposure to other patients.

The Alaska alert tells providers to immediately use airborne-isolation precautions for suspected cases, promptly notify the Alaska Section of Epidemiology and coordinate laboratory testing. Providers should not delay reporting while waiting for laboratory confirmation.

The practical message is preparation rather than panic: review MMR records, recognize compatible symptoms and call ahead if measles is suspected. A confirmed case or additional official public-health guidance would represent a different level of information than the wastewater signal alone.

Sources

• Alaska Department of Health measles wastewater alert
• Alaska's News Source report on the Anchorage detection
• CDC measles vaccination guidance

The Alaska Department of Health issued its public-health alert July 27, 2026, after WastewaterSCAN notified state epidemiologists on July 22 and 24 that metagenomic sequencing had detected measles RNA in samples collected July 7, 8, 9 and 14. The alert said no confirmed human measles cases had recently been identified in Alaska at that time.

What Alaska detected

Additional testing found the measles-virus RNA at very low concentrations. State epidemiologists said the results indicate measles-virus activity in the Anchorage sewershed during July 7–14, but they cannot identify the source, determine whether transmission is occurring or confirm that a person has measles.

The sequencing result is also distinct from a reportable dashboard detection. The Alaska alert said metagenomic sequencing data were not yet displayed on the public WastewaterSCAN dashboard; those data were expected to be added in the future.

Where the signal applies

The Anchorage sewershed includes the city of Anchorage and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. It does not include Eagle River or Girdwood.

Residents should not extend the result to those communities or to all of Alaska without additional evidence. The wastewater samples were collected before the July 27 state alert, and Alaska Public Media reported the finding July 29.

What wastewater can—and cannot—show

The CDC says wastewater monitoring can help officials assess measles risk at the community level and may detect virus from infected people who have not developed symptoms or sought medical care. It complements, rather than replaces, clinical surveillance.

A detection does not show how many people may be infected, whether transmission is occurring or who or what location is the source. It also is not the same as a confirmed case reported through Alaska’s disease-surveillance system.

People cannot catch measles from Anchorage sewage. Measles spreads through respiratory transmission, not through wastewater.

What clinicians should do

Alaska officials asked health-care providers to maintain a high index of suspicion for measles in patients with compatible illness, especially those with recent domestic or international travel, exposure to travelers or unknown or incomplete vaccination.

Clinical features can include fever, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis and a generalized rash that begins on the face and spreads downward. If measles is suspected, providers should immediately use airborne isolation precautions, coordinate testing with the Alaska Section of Epidemiology and report the suspected case promptly rather than waiting for laboratory confirmation.

What residents should do now

The finding does not create a wastewater exposure risk. People who are unsure of their measles immunity should review their measles, mumps and rubella vaccination records and ask a health-care provider or local public-health clinic whether vaccination is recommended.

Alaska says residents can review immunization records through the Docket mobile application or by contacting a provider or local public-health clinic. Children should receive two routine MMR doses, and adults without evidence of immunity should discuss vaccination with a health-care provider. People planning international travel should confirm that they are up to date before departure.

What to watch next

The next meaningful developments would be a confirmed human measles case, an exposure notice, additional Anchorage wastewater results or revised guidance from Alaska or federal health officials. The Alaska Department of Health’s PHAN archive lists the July 27 wastewater alert as the current Alaska-specific notice located in the archive as of August 2, 2026.

For now, the Anchorage result is an early community-level surveillance signal. It calls for clinical awareness and vaccination-record review, but it does not establish that an outbreak is underway or that residents face a risk from sewage.

Key sources

• Alaska Department of Health alert on Anchorage wastewater
• CDC wastewater guidance for measles
• Alaska Public Media report, July 29, 2026

The declaration followed a three-day sequence of reported cases and state action. The Delaware state news feed records a first positive measles case on July 20, a second positive case on July 21 and the outbreak declaration on July 22, 2026.

By the time of the declaration, the state had reported two confirmed positive cases. The available state material describes the response as statewide, rather than as an incident limited to a particular county or community.

Statewide response follows second case

The outbreak declaration is the principal confirmed development. Delaware’s announcement came after the second positive case was confirmed, and it applies to Delaware residents statewide.

Measles is highly contagious, which is why confirmation of cases and vaccination guidance carry public-health significance. The state’s stated action for residents was directed specifically at people who are unvaccinated: officials encouraged them to seek vaccination.

The announcement does not provide a vaccination deadline. It also does not identify a particular location within Delaware where residents should seek vaccination, beyond the general instruction for unvaccinated residents to do so.

Timeline recorded by the state

The state news feed places the first confirmed positive case on July 20, 2026. It records the second positive case the next day, July 21. Delaware then declared the statewide outbreak on July 22.

That timeline establishes that the declaration followed confirmation of two positive cases. It does not, on its own, establish how the cases are related or whether either person was exposed at the same place as the other.

The available record also does not say whether additional cases were identified after the second case. The reported total supported by the state material is two confirmed positive cases as of the July 22 declaration.

Key details have not been provided in the available notice

The state-news material available for this report does not identify the people with the positive cases. It does not provide their counties, vaccination status or exposure locations.

It also does not say whether the cases are linked. No conclusion about a common source of exposure or community-wide transmission can be drawn from the outbreak declaration alone.

The available notice does not report hospitalizations. It likewise does not provide case-specific public instructions such as named exposure sites, exposure dates or a monitoring schedule.

Those omissions mean residents cannot use the available announcement to determine whether they were at a known exposure location. The state has instead provided a broad statewide message centered on vaccination for unvaccinated residents.

What is known next

The next known step identified in the announcement is for unvaccinated Delaware residents to seek vaccination. The available state-news record does not list a deadline for that action or announce the date of another update.

Further information from state health authorities would be needed to establish whether more cases have been found, whether the two confirmed cases are connected, or whether public exposure guidance becomes necessary. Until then, the confirmed record is limited to two positive cases, the July 20-to-22 timeline and Delaware’s statewide outbreak declaration.

The update was issued from Dover by the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services’ Division of Public Health. It describes a statewide public-health development; the available information does not establish that any of the reported cases occurred in Dover.

Reported case total rises to four

The July 22 update added two positive cases to Delaware’s reported total. State officials have not identified the patients’ municipalities, ages, vaccination status or possible exposure locations in the available material.

Those missing details mean the public record currently does not show whether the four reported cases are linked. Officials also have not provided a current full case table or an outbreak end date in the information available for this report.

Measles is highly contagious, and the outbreak response involves public-health investigation, surveillance and vaccination outreach. The state’s announcement did not, in the available material, set out specific eligibility rules, a vaccination deadline or a public mandate.

Health leaders urge vaccination awareness

On July 24, the Delaware Healthcare Association published follow-up messaging urging measles awareness and vaccination action after the Division of Public Health’s announcement. The association described the outbreak announcement as occurring during the week of July 20.

The messaging is an awareness and prevention appeal, rather than a notice that access to a particular service is guaranteed for every resident. The available source material does not specify vaccine appointment locations, supply levels, insurance coverage or individualized clinical recommendations.

For residents, the practical significance is that the state is treating the reported cases as an outbreak requiring continued public-health attention. Further official updates would be needed to clarify possible exposure locations, the relationship among cases, any guidance for susceptible contacts and whether the reported total changes.

What is known—and what is not

Officials have confirmed the July 22 addition of two positive cases and the resulting reported statewide total of four. They have not, in the material reviewed, said that there is community transmission or that all four cases are epidemiologically connected.

The Division of Public Health’s Dover-issued update and the healthcare association’s July 24 statement are the currently identified sources for the outbreak information and subsequent vaccination-awareness message.

For residents, the immediate guidance is to check vaccination records, contact a health care provider or public-health clinic after a known exposure, and call ahead before visiting a medical facility if measles is suspected.

What Delaware declared

The Delaware Division of Public Health announcement said the four cases identified at that time involved unvaccinated adult men in Kent County. The CDC defines a measles outbreak as three or more cases connected by time and location.

The declaration is an operational public-health action. It is not a new law, broad closure order, travel restriction or statewide mandate. Instead, it gives public-health officials more flexibility to accelerate the response and mobilize additional resources.

Delaware’s initial health alert documented the state’s first confirmed measles case in more than a decade. A sample from that case tested positive on July 20, 2026, and involved an unvaccinated adult man in Kent County. The later outbreak announcement reported two additional positive cases, bringing the total reported by DPH to four.

Contact tracing remains underway

Public-health officials are contacting people identified through tracing. Those residents may be asked to confirm their vaccination status, receive information about measles and get recommendations about monitoring or treatment when necessary.

A contact-tracing lead or suspected exposure is not the same as a confirmed infection. DPH has not released additional identifying details about the cases, citing medical privacy restrictions.

As of July 29, no newer official case-count update or confirmed public-exposure location list was located in the approved research packet. Residents should rely on current guidance from Delaware health officials and their own medical providers for individualized questions.

What residents should do after exposure

Residents can check their own and their children’s vaccination records through the DelVAX Public Portal or by contacting a health care provider. People who are unvaccinated or unsure of their status and have had a known exposure should contact a primary care provider or public-health clinic about MMR vaccination and other recommended steps.

MMR vaccination may be available through primary-care offices, pharmacies, federally qualified health centers and public-health clinics. Availability, eligibility and appointment requirements can vary, so residents should confirm supply and access with the facility before going.

People who believe they have been exposed should tell the provider or clinic when they call. That allows staff to give instructions that can reduce the risk of exposing others in a waiting room or treatment area.

Symptoms and when to call ahead

Measles commonly begins with fever, cough, a runny nose and red or watery eyes. These early symptoms usually last two to four days. A rash typically appears three to five days after symptoms begin, often starting on the face before spreading down the body.

Fever commonly develops about seven to 12 days after exposure, while the rash may appear about seven to 21 days after exposure. Anyone with possible measles symptoms should contact a health care provider immediately and call before arriving at a doctor’s office, clinic or emergency department.

Do not walk into a medical facility without notifying staff if measles is suspected. Tell providers and medical transport about a possible exposure before arrival when possible. If symptoms are severe, seek immediate care at the nearest emergency department.

Some residents face higher risks

Pregnant people, people with weakened immune systems and young infants who are too young to be vaccinated face greater risks from measles complications. Delaware DPH advises pregnant people, immunocompromised people and children younger than 6 months who have had contact with someone suspected of having measles to seek prompt guidance from a health care provider or the state Office of Infectious Disease Epidemiology.

The outbreak declaration means Delaware can move more quickly and direct additional public-health resources toward tracing and response. For residents, the next practical steps are to verify vaccination records, seek guidance after an exposure and call ahead before receiving in-person care for possible measles.

Sources

• Delaware Division of Public Health: Delaware Declares Measles Outbreak
• Delaware Health Alert #537
• Delaware Public Media outbreak report
• WHYY News Delaware measles outbreak report

The exposure occurred July 17 from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Health officials say people who were at the clinic during that period may be at risk if they are unvaccinated or have not previously had measles. The identified exposure window does not mean everyone present was exposed or will become infected.

Who may be at risk

According to Clark County Public Health, all seven reported cases involve unvaccinated children. People who were at the Salmon Creek clinic during the identified four-hour period should review their vaccination history and whether they have previously had measles.

The county advises potentially exposed, at-risk people to stay home and avoid public places for 21 days. That guidance is not a blanket instruction for all Vancouver residents. It applies to people who may have been exposed and do not have established protection against measles.

Symptoms and what to do

Measles symptoms can begin with a high fever, cough, runny nose and red or watery eyes. A rash typically appears three to five days after those symptoms begin and often starts on the face before spreading. Symptoms usually begin one to three weeks after exposure.

Anyone who develops symptoms after a possible exposure should avoid contact with others and call a health-care provider before visiting a medical office. Calling ahead allows staff to make a plan that reduces the chance of exposing other patients and workers. The Washington State Department of Health identifies MMR vaccination as the best protection against measles and provides additional guidance on symptoms, exposure response and prevention.

What is known about the newer cases

A July 24 county update said six additional cases were linked to private exposures. Officials said they had not identified additional public exposure sites connected to those six cases.

The seven cases reported since July 22 should also be distinguished from the countywide total cited in that update: Clark County reported 15 measles cases across the county in 2026 as of July 24. The seven-case figure is therefore not a final outbreak count, and health officials may issue additional updates.

Residents should rely on current guidance from Clark County Public Health and the Washington State Department of Health rather than assuming they were exposed based on unverified reports. People with questions about vaccination, symptoms or a possible exposure should seek advice from public-health or medical professionals.

Sources

• Clark County Public Health — Measles Investigation
• KXL — Possible Vancouver Clinic Measles Exposure
• Washington State Department of Health — Measles Information

The notice is specifically for people who were at PHL Terminals A, B, and C on Saturday, July 4, 2026, between 7:30 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. It was published July 11, 2026 so affected travelers can check vaccination and be ready to act if symptoms appear.

Where and when the exposure notice applies

The Department of Public Health’s exposure alert targets a narrow window: PHL terminals A, B, and C during July 4, 2026 (7:30 a.m.–11:15 a.m.). If you weren’t at those terminals during that time, the notice may not apply to you.

First step: check whether you’re protected

The notice focuses on whether someone is likely to be immune/protected. In general, people are more likely to be protected if they:

• Were born before 1957
• Have already had measles
• Have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine (usually given as MMR)

For many travelers, the practical task now is straightforward: locate vaccine records (school records, medical records, or immunization history) or ask a healthcare provider how to verify protection.

If you might not be protected

If you think you could be unprotected, the Department of Public Health recommends contacting a healthcare provider to discuss what to do next, including whether you should get MMR.

The notice also urges extra prompt action for people in higher-risk groups, including those who may be more vulnerable to complications if they become infected (such as infants, pregnant people, or immunosuppressed individuals). If any of those situations apply, the guidance is to consult sooner rather than waiting for symptoms.

In addition, if you’re not immune/protected and may have been exposed, the notice recommends taking precautions around others—including wearing a mask in indoor public spaces and around anyone who is unvaccinated until 3 weeks after the exposure.

Symptom watch window: through July 25, 2026

The exposure notice asks potentially affected people to monitor for measles-like symptoms through July 25, 2026. If you were at PHL in the stated time window and you’re not confident you’re protected, this watch period matters.

Measles often starts with symptoms that can look like other illnesses, including:

• Fever
• Runny nose
• Cough
• Red/watery eyes

A rash can follow. Because early symptoms can resemble other respiratory infections, the key instruction in the notice is to contact a healthcare provider immediately if symptoms consistent with measles develop during the monitoring period—especially for people who may not be vaccinated/protected.

Why this alert is time-sensitive

Measles is considered highly contagious, and it can spread through the air. That’s why the Philadelphia Department of Public Health is urging affected travelers to check their protection and act quickly if symptoms appear.

Local measles resources also explain what “protected” typically means in everyday terms and provide local guidance tied to Philadelphia’s response processes.

Local next steps if you develop symptoms

If you develop symptoms consistent with measles during the watch period, contact a healthcare provider right away and mention that you may have been exposed at PHL Terminals A–C on July 4, 2026. The Department of Public Health’s posted materials also direct residents to the city’s local measles resources for the most up-to-date guidance.

The notice is focused on the listed terminals and time window—so if your travel does not match that description, the best next step is simply to confirm you’re protected for future travel and outbreaks.

Sources

• Philadelphia Department of Public Health: PHL terminals A–C measles exposure notice (July 11, 2026)
• Philadelphia Health Information Portal (HIP): Measles FAQs and local resources
• CDC: How measles spreads (airborne transmission context)