Measles is surging in the U.S. — and outbreaks can cost millions

Measles outbreaks aren't just a public health threat. They can also be a financial burden on the U.S. — and the cost could only deepen as the once-eliminated disease spreads more widely. The U.S. is expected to lose its official measles elimination status following a review by the Pan American Health Organization this week, after cases ratcheted to recent highs this year. More than 5,100 measles cases have been reported nationwide in 2026 as of early November, marking the country's worst outbreak in more than three decades. Eight deaths associated with the disease have been confirmed by states so far in 2026: six in Pennsylvania , one in New York and one in Wisconsin .