After 26 years, the US has lost its measles elimination status
The designation was pulled after more than 5,000 U.S. cases and sustained outbreaks in several states showed continuous transmission for over a year.
- On Friday, the Pan American Health Organization revoked the United States' measles-elimination status, ending a 26-year designation after confirming continuous virus transmission exceeded 12 months.
- Declining childhood immunization rates fueled sustained transmission, with kindergarten MMR vaccination coverage dropping to 92% in 2026 from 95% in 2019 amid rising vaccine hesitancy.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed 5,412 measles cases in 2026—the highest since 1991—while state health departments report at least 10 measles-associated deaths this year.
- Dr. Peter Hotez, co-director of the Center for Vaccine Development at Texas Children's Hospital, said losing elimination status damages the nation's public health reputation and signals, "Basically, measles is back."
- Regaining elimination status requires the country to end local transmission and remain outbreak-free for 12 months, a challenging task given diminished public trust and rising nonmedical exemptions, according to experts.
238 Articles
238 Articles
More than 5,400 measles cases this year.
For more than 25 years, the US has been classified as masquerade-free, but that seems to be over now: according to insiders, the country is supposed to lose its status as a masquerade-free state. In addition to thousands of diseases, the country also complains of some deaths.
According to several American media reports, the country is losing its status after more than 25 years.
More than twice as many cases reported in 2025
The US has lost its long-standing status as a measles-free country following an assessment by the Pan American Health Organization. Anonymous employees of the agency reported this to news agency Bloomberg before the decision was officially announced. The loss of the status is expected to lead to heightened warnings regarding travel to the US.
US reportedly loses longstanding measles elimination status as cases surge nationwide
The U.S. has reportedly lost its measles elimination status after 26 years, according to The Wall Street Journal. PAHO had planned to announce the determination publicly on Nov. 17.
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