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No Evidence Linking Illegal Immigration to Measles Outbreak, Despite GOP Representative's Comment
Experts say 94% of 2026 cases are in unvaccinated people or those with unknown status, pointing to falling MMR coverage as the main cause.
- The ongoing 2026 measles outbreak has surpassed 2025's record-breaking case numbers, with experts identifying declining vaccination coverage as the primary driver rather than immigration.
- Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds claimed "rampant illegal immigration" during the Biden administration caused the measles surge, arguing people in the country illegally lack vaccination.
- Around 94% of confirmed 2026 cases involve unvaccinated individuals, while the CDC does not report immigration status, making direct links to migrants impossible to verify.
- Pennsylvania health officials reported two additional deaths on Aug. 25, as vaccination coverage has slipped below the 95% threshold needed to stop measles transmission.
- Transmission typically begins when travelers introduce the virus, said Dr. Paul Spiegel of Johns Hopkins Center for Humanitarian Health, emphasizing that population susceptibility creates outbreak conditions.
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28 Articles
28 Articles
No evidence linking illegal immigration to measles outbreak, despite Byron Donalds' comment
Donalds pointed to measles outbreaks in El Paso, Texas and southwest Florida, and said people who are in the U.S. illegally have not followed the measles, mumps and rubella vaccination schedule.
·Miramar, United States
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Total News Sources28
Leaning Left1Leaning Right0Center27Last UpdatedBias Distribution96% Center
Bias Distribution
- 96% of the sources are Center
96% Center
C 96%
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