Measles is back in the United States, WHO authorities say
The Pan American Health Organization has determined that the U.S. has lost its measles elimination status, meaning domestic spread of the virus is now significant and sustained.
Measles has returned to the United States after being eliminated for over 25 years, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The disease, which had been absent from the country since 2000, has seen a resurgence following a series of outbreaks that began in January 2025. As of now, almost 5,412 cases have been reported in 2026, though this number is likely an undercount.
To be considered measles-free, the U.S. must go 12 months without continuous spread of the virus. Experts attribute the resurgence to declining vaccination rates and public trust, with at least 10 states reporting kindergarteners' vaccination rates below the critical threshold needed to prevent outbreaks.
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