U.S. poised to lose measles-elimination status

Measles is once again endemic — a constant and predictable presence — in the United States, 26 years after it was declared eliminated in the country, an analysis of genetic data from outbreaks of the disease has found (Source: “The U.S. Has Lost Its Measles-Elimination Status, Data Suggests,” New York Times, Nov. 10).
 
Data from the outbreaks will be the focus of deliberations by an international panel of scientific experts convening soon to decide whether the United States should lose its official designation as a nation that has eliminated measles. An announcement of the decision is expected on Nov. 17.
 
Achieving elimination status in 2000 was a hard-fought public health victory for the United States.
 
But with skepticism about the safety of vaccines growing in recent years, outbreaks have become more frequent. Over the past two years, cases have soared, with nearly 5,200 reported so far this year. Last week alone, Pennsylvania, New York and Wisconsin each reported a death associated with measles, bringing this year’s total to eight, more than the combined deaths from 2000 through 2024.
 
Ohio has reported 310 measles cases in 25 counties so far in 2026, a nearly six-fold increase from all of 2025, according to media reports.