US CDC will not change measles response even if it loses measles-free status, director says
Global health experts convened by the Pan American Health Organization will determine in the coming days whether the US has lost its official measles-free status.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will maintain its current response to measles outbreaks, according to CDC Director Dr Erica Schwartz, even if the US loses its measles elimination status. The status could be lost as early as next week, following a decision by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Schwartz stated that the CDC will continue to work with states to raise awareness about measles and emphasize the importance of the MMR vaccine in preventing the disease.
Schwartz, who became CDC director in August, inherited a widespread measles outbreak in the US, with nearly 5,200 confirmed cases in 2026, compared to 2,289 cases in all of 2025, and 11 deaths reported since early last year. Schwartz pointed to closely knit communities, primarily religious groups, as the main source of the US measles infections, as these communities often have lower vaccination rates.
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