South Dakota Measles Cases in 2026

Last updated:

Is there a measles outbreak in South Dakota? This page tracks confirmed measles cases in South Dakota for 2026, updated weekly with data from the Johns Hopkins Measles Tracking project. See how South Dakota compares to other states and check local MMR vaccination rates.

High
7 cases

confirmed in South Dakota in 2026

As of 2026-04-03

⚠ 2 outbreaks reported

↑ Increasing Cases have been reported in 2026.
·
10 cases in 2025

Key Takeaways

  1. 1 South Dakota has reported 7 confirmed measles cases so far in 2026.
  2. 2 There are 2 active outbreaks in the state.
  3. 3 Lincoln has the most cases with 6 confirmed.
  4. 4 Nearby states North Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska have also reported cases.

CDC Recommendations at This Level

Active measles outbreak — vaccination is urgent

  • The CDC strongly recommends MMR vaccination for anyone who is not up to date
  • Measles is extremely contagious — it spreads through the air and can linger in a room for 2 hours after an infected person leaves
  • If you develop symptoms, call your doctor BEFORE going in — they need to prepare to avoid exposing others
  • Unvaccinated individuals should avoid public spaces where cases have been reported
  • Infants too young for MMR (under 12 months) should avoid known outbreak areas

This is general public health guidance based on CDC recommendations — not personal medical advice. Talk to your healthcare provider about what's right for you and your family.

County Breakdown — South Dakota

County Cases Last Report
Lincoln 6 2025-06-28
Grant 5 2026-02-04
Butte 2 2025-12-24
Brookings 1 2026-02-21
Brown 1 2026-03-14
Meade 1 2025-06-14
Pennington 1 2025-06-07

County-level data from JHU Measles Tracking Team. Some counties may have additional unreported cases.

MMR Vaccination Coverage in South Dakota

Kindergarten MMR coverage in South Dakota is 90% — below the 95% herd immunity threshold needed to prevent measles outbreaks.

View South Dakota MMR coverage details →

Nearby States

Sources & Methods

Measles case counts are compiled by the JHU Measles Tracking Team from state and local health department reports. County-level data may be incomplete. The CDC also publishes national measles case counts. Learn more about our methods .

More Health Data for South Dakota

Cities in South Dakota

Health data available for these South Dakota cities:

Frequently Asked Questions

How many measles cases has South Dakota had in 2026?

South Dakota has reported 7 confirmed measles cases in 2026 as of the most recent data update. This count may change as new cases are confirmed or reclassified.

Is there a measles outbreak in South Dakota?

Yes, South Dakota has reported active measles outbreaks. An outbreak is defined as a chain of three or more linked cases. Check with your local health department for the most current information.

What is the MMR vaccine and why does coverage matter?

The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. Measles is highly contagious and requires approximately 95% community vaccination coverage to achieve "herd immunity" — the threshold at which enough people are immune to prevent sustained transmission. View South Dakota MMR coverage data .

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Local Health Signal is not affiliated with the CDC or any government agency. Data is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended for clinical decision making. See our methods page for details on data sources and limitations.