US loses measles-elimination status after 26 years
The Pan American Health Organization has revoked the United States' measles-elimination status, ending a 26-year run, after finding the virus circulated continuously for more than a year, according to a Wall Street Journal report. As of Thursday, the CDC had recorded 5,182 confirmed measles cases in 2026 across 45 states, New York City and Washington, D.C., already above last year's 2,289. Since 2025, about 7,500 people have been infected and 13 have died. Nearly all this year's cases involved unvaccinated people or those with unknown vaccination status.
Key facts
- Roughly one in nine measles patients this year was hospitalised, according to CDC data cited by CNN.
- A 7-month-old in New York and infants in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are among the 13 reported deaths.
- PAHO's assessment drew on a CDC analysis and a separate review by an independent group of measles experts.
- Two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine prevent about 97% of infections.
- Canada, Spain and the UK recently lost measles-elimination status; the US remains a PAHO member after leaving WHO.
Summarised with AI from 5 sources · Updated 01:11Read our AI policy
Why it matters
The loss may weaken the US standing as a public-health leader and could mean larger outbreaks continue.
What changed
Summary updated
First published from The Independent, The Hindu, CNA, The Jerusalem Post and The Straits Times