U.S. Loses Measles-Elimination Status After 5,400 Cases as Low Vaccination Fuels Spread
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Nov 14
U.S. Loses Measles-Elimination Status After 5,400 Cases as Low Vaccination Fuels Spread
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Nov 14
Summary
International health experts concluded the United States no longer qualifies as having eliminated measles after more than 12 months of uninterrupted transmission, with a formal PAHO announcement expected Tuesday.
At least two separate transmission chains ran past the 12-month threshold, following a resurgence that began in West Texas in January 2025 and spread through Utah, Arizona and other states.
More than 5,400 U.S. cases have been recorded this year—more than double 2025's total—and two new deaths in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania pushed the 2026 toll to at least 10.
Low vaccination rates in some communities have driven the outbreaks, ending a public-health milestone the country achieved 26 years ago when sustained measles spread was halted.