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37m ago

U.S. Loses Measles Elimination Status

PAHO's expert panel found the same measles strain circulated in the United States for more than 12 months, signaling the country must stop sustained spread and strengthen vaccination and surveillance to regain the designation.

A measles alert sign hangs outside the entrance to the Cohen Children's Medical Center in New Hyde Park, New York, U.S., March 14, 2025. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/File Photo
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The US has lost its “measles eliminated” status after two new deaths, with PAHO revoking the designation for the first time in 30 years. CDC counts 5,412 cases so far in 2026, led by Pennsylvania. (WPEC)
A sign reading "measles testing" is seen as an outbreak in Gaines County, Texas, has raised concerns over its spread to other parts of the state, in Seminole, Texas, U.S., February 25, 2025. REUTERS/Sebastian Rocandio/File Photo

Overview

  • An expert panel convened by the Pan American Health Organization concluded on Friday that measles has circulated continuously in the United States for over a year and revoked the country's elimination status.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 5,412 confirmed U.S. cases through Nov. 12, 2026, with Pennsylvania the largest hotspot at about 1,542 cases.
  • State health departments report 10 measles-associated deaths this year while the CDC's official national tally remains six, producing a public dispute over how deaths are classified.
  • Public-health experts point to falling two-dose MMR coverage — about 92.4% among 2025–26 kindergarteners versus a 95% target for herd immunity — and rising vaccine skepticism as major drivers of the sustained spread.
  • Authorities linked outbreaks using epidemiology and viral genome sequencing and say regaining elimination will require interrupting transmission for 12 months, restoring timely surveillance, and expanding vaccination and local public-health capacity.