US loses measles elimination status after 26 years

Summarised from 7 outlets · Updated 15 Nov, 04:31 · Archive

The United States has lost its measles elimination status for the first time since 2000, ending a 26-year designation.

The Pan American Health Organization, a regional office of the World Health Organization covering North and South America, has revoked the United States' measles elimination status. The country held the designation for 26 years, since 2000. A country loses elimination status when the same virus strain spreads continuously within its borders for 12 months or longer, indicating local transmission rather than imported cases. The organisation's independent regional verification commission reviewed the evidence during a meeting from 10 to 13 November in Washington, D.C., and confirmed the decision.

The United States is now experiencing its worst measles outbreak in more than three decades. The CDC has confirmed 5,412 measles cases in 2026 through 12 November—more than double 2025's total of 2,289 cases. This is the highest number of cases since 1991. The virus has spread across 45 states and Washington, D.C. At least six deaths have been attributed to measles this year; Pennsylvania has reported seven deaths and over 1,500 cases, making it the site of the biggest outbreak. New York and Wisconsin have each reported one death.

Measles is among the most contagious diseases known to medicine. It can cause serious complications including pneumonia, brain inflammation and permanent neurological damage. Roughly one in nine of this year's patients required hospitalisation, with more than 590 hospitalisations recorded so far. Nearly all of this year's cases involve people who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown.

Experts attribute the surge partly to increased vaccine hesitancy. This period has coincided with heightened scepticism about vaccine safety under US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who for years has expressed doubts about measles vaccines without scientific evidence. Noel Brewer, a University of North Carolina public health professor, told experts that measles is 'a fully preventable disease' and said it is 'unconscionable' that such outbreaks are occurring. David Margolius, director of Cleveland's health department, described the loss of elimination status as 'moving backward' and called it 'a big deal'.

Canada lost its own measles elimination designation in 2024, after holding it since 1998. The Pan American Health Organization held a news conference on Tuesday to announce the US decision publicly. The determination was based on genetic evidence reviewed by an independent commission of experts reporting to PAHO's director, according to sources close to the process.

How it is being reported

• RFK Jr. Draws Scrutiny Online After US Loses Measles-Free StatusLawmakers lashed out at Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr . after a bombshell Wall Street Journal report that the US lost its measles-elimination status after 26 years, criticising his leadership. “This didn’t have to happen,” Rep. James Walkinshaw (D-Va.) wrote on X Saturday. “We have a safe, effective vaccine that has protected generations of Americans. We know how to prevent measles. Instead, President Trump put Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a notorious anti-vaxxer, in charge of our public health agencies.” America eliminated measles. It was a major public health achievement, made possible…HuffPost UK · 15 Nov, 08:21
• U.S. loses measles elimination status as cases break recordsThe CDC has confirmed 5,412 measles cases in 2026, more than double last year's total and the highest number since 1991.The Japan Times · 14 Nov, 23:54
• US has lost measles elimination status, global health authorities sayThe U.S. has lost its status as a country where measles is eliminated, according to researchers with direct knowledge of the deliberations at the Pan American Health Organization.NPR · 14 Nov, 22:15
• US reportedly loses longstanding measles elimination status as cases surge nationwidePAHO has reportedly revoked the U.S. measles elimination status held since 2000, with over 5,412 confirmed cases in 2026 signaling continuous spread.Fox News · 14 Nov, 19:17
• U.S. loses measles elimination status as cases surge nationwideThe United States has lost its official measles elimination status for the first time in 26 years. Here's what to know.CBS News · 14 Nov, 16:11
• US loses measles-elimination status after 26 years, WSJ reportsThe Pan American Health Organization has reportedly stripped the US of its measles-elimination status after 26 years, as the country battles its worst outbreaks in more than three decades.DW News · 14 Nov, 09:15
• US faces losing measles elimination status next week as experts blame RFK Jr. for muted vaccine responseInternational health experts are meeting to assess whether the U.S. and Mexico have lost their measles elimination statusIndependent World · 13 Nov, 10:30

In this story: United States · Pan American Health Organization · Robert F. Kennedy Jr. · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · Pennsylvania · Canada · World Health Organization · Mexico

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