A concerning 588 measles cases have been reported across the U.S. as of January 29, 2026, signaling a resurgence of the highly contagious disease and prompting public health officials to urge vaccination.
Measles on the Rise: Latest Numbers and What You Need to Know
Public health officials are tracking a growing number of measles cases across the country, emphasizing the importance of vaccination to protect individuals and communities.
- As of January 29, 2026, the CDC reports 588 measles cases in the United States.
- The majority of cases—585—have been identified in 17 states: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.
- Three additional cases were reported among international visitors to the U.S.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics recently released its recommended 2026 immunization schedule, reinforcing the importance of routine vaccinations.
Tracking the Spread
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the latest figures on January 29, 2026, revealing a concerning increase in measles cases. A total of 585 cases have been confirmed in 17 jurisdictions across the country. An additional three cases were identified in international visitors to the United States.
New Options for Gonorrhea Treatment
In December 2025, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two new antibiotics to combat uncomplicated urogenital gonorrhea, a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Zoliflodacin (Nuzolvence) is a first-in-class antibiotic, requiring only a single oral dose for treatment. Gepotidacin (Blujepa) received FDA approval in March 2025, initially for uncomplicated urinary tract infections, and is effective against strains of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Citrobacter freundii complex, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, and Enterococcus faecalis.
Updated Immunization Guidance
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released the Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule: United States, 2026 on January 26, 2026. This schedule provides guidance on routine vaccinations to protect against 18 infectious diseases, including RSV, hepatitis A and B, rotavirus, influenza, and meningococcal disease. The detailed schedule is available in AAP Red Book Online, the academy’s comprehensive resource for infectious disease prevention and treatment. A parent-friendly version of the schedule can be found on HealthyChildren.org.
HIV Funding Protected
Congress has preserved funding for domestic HIV programs in the final FY2026 spending bill. The Appropriations Committees rejected a House Republican proposal that would have cut over $1.7 billion from these programs, including eliminating all HIV prevention initiatives and reducing funding for the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Care and Treatment Program by 20 percent, or $525 million.
UTI Treatment and Patient Education
Research suggests a link between patient education levels and treatment outcomes for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs). A study by Jacinda Abdul-Mutakabbir, PharmD, MPH, assistant professor of clinical pharmacy and antimicrobial resistance researcher at UC San Diego, found a correlation between higher levels of education and increased rates of treatment failure. Interestingly, the study also observed less treatment failure among Black and Hispanic patients treated with cephalosporins, prompting further investigation into the role of insurance coverage and other factors.
