The U.S. lost its long-standing measles eradication status after the disease continued to spread through the past year and broke case records, according to people familiar with the decision.The determination followed a review of the evidence by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), according to the people, who asked not to be identified discussing the decision before its public release. PAHO and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention didn’t respond to requests for comment.PAHO evaluates whether a single strain of measles virus has been circulating in a community for 12 months. An outbreak in Utah that has infected more than 700 people met the criteria, costing the U.S. its status.
U.S. loses measles elimination status as cases break records
The CDC has confirmed 5,412 measles cases in 2026, more than double last year's total and the highest number since 1991.
In brief
The U.S. lost its long-standing measles eradication status after the disease continued to spread through the past year and broke case records, according to people familiar with the decision.The determination followed a review of the evidence by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), according to the people, who asked not to be identified discussing the decision before its public release. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention didn’t respond to requests for comment.PAHO evaluates whether a single strain of measles virus has been circulating in a community for 12 months. An outbreak in Utah that has infected more than 700 people met the criteria, costing the U.S. its status.
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