US may have lost a ‘crown jewel’ of public health

Key Points:

• The United States, which eliminated measles in 2000, is now considered by many experts to have lost that status due to sustained, widespread outbreaks fueled by declining vaccination rates.
• Since early 2025, measles outbreaks have spread across multiple states, with 2,288 cases reported last year and over 2,100 cases in the first half of this year, marking the highest numbers since the 1990s.
• The Pan American Health Organization will decide in November whether to officially revoke the U.S. measles elimination status, delayed from an April decision to allow for more data collection.
• Falling immunization rates, especially in certain regions where coverage is below 80%, combined with cuts to public health infrastructure like surveillance and contact tracing, have contributed significantly to the resurgence.
• Experts emphasize that measles control is still achievable through renewed vaccination efforts and addressing vaccine hesitancy with empathy and accurate information, noting that high immunization levels in places like California continue to provide protection.