Map Shows Countries With Measles Eliminated—as US Could Lose Status
The U.S. declared measles eliminated in 2000, but it may lose that status this week.
The United States may lose its official measles-free status this week, joining Mexico and Bolivia on a watch list of countries with recent outbreaks. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), which declared the disease eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, will review countries' measles status reports during its annual meeting in Washington.
As of November 6, six people have died from measles-related complications in the U.S., double the number from 2025, marking the first such fatalities in a decade. The country has recorded 5,182 measles cases so far in 2026, a 61-fold increase from the 85 cases reported in 2000. The decline in MMR vaccine usage, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, is believed to be contributing to the resurgence.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his vaccine skepticism, has faced criticism for his stance on the issue. When contacted, HHS emphasized the importance of vaccines and ongoing efforts to strengthen response measures against measles.
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