There is a measles outbreak in the United States described as the worst in decades.
Posted by All In with Chris Hayes, Checked
- Sources
- 4 support2 context
- Said
- 1 time·
- Confidence
- 90%
All In with Chris HayesSep 19, 2026
Friday, September 18, 2026; 8pm: Tonight, Congressman Jamie Raskin on Donald Trump's latest attack on the Constitution. Plus, JD Vance takes his "give us another chance" tour deep into Trump country. And it’s the worst U-S measles outbreak in decades but don't worry, the Trump Administration says actually, no it isn't. Want more of Chris? Download and follow his podcast, “Why Is This Happening? The Chris Hayes podcast” wherever you get your podcasts. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. …
As of 2026-09-19, sources (CDC data showing over 3,800 cases by early October and 2,777 by August 20, plus Reuters, AP, NPR and CBS) show the US was experiencing a large measles outbreak described as its worst in decades (worst year since 1991, largest state outbreak in over 30 years in Pennsylvania).
This claim is about the present, so it is judged as of the day it was checked.
What we found
Supports. CBS News and NPR describe the 2026 US measles resurgence as the worst in more than three decades, with cases surpassing 2025 totals.[3][4]
Supports. CDC data reported 2,777 confirmed cases as of August 20 and 3,887 as of Oct. 1, showing a large national outbreak in place before the claim date.[1][5]
Supports. Reuters reports the US hit a 35-year high in cases in July and that Pennsylvania's outbreak was the state's first measles deaths in 35 years, consistent with a serious outbreak in September.[1]
Context. The 'worst in decades' framing is used consistently across tier1 and tier2 coverage, and no source disputes it; the Trump Administration rebuttal in the passage is not corroborated by any source.[2][3][6]
Sources
6 sources: 2 fact-checkers, 2 tier 2, 2 not rated
- 1What to know about US measles cases on the risereuters.com · fact-checker · cited for: supports
- 2Measles is surging in the US. These graphics show how ...apnews.com · fact-checker · cited for: context
- 3U.S. measles cases more than double what they were last ...npr.org · tier 2 · cited for: supports, context
- 4As measles outbreaks grow in the U.S., maps and charts show a...cbsnews.com · tier 2 · cited for: supports
- 5Tracking US Measles: Cases Reach 35-Year High in 2026usnews.com · not rated · cited for: supports
- 6US enduring worst year for measles in 35 years, CDC sayscbs19.tv · not rated · cited for: context
Where this claim was made
Said in 1 published post