The number of measles cases in the US has reached a record high, 25 years after the disease was declared eliminated. According to new data, there have been more than 1,200 confirmed cases this year, with most being linked to unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status.
Experts warn that if vaccination rates do not improve, deadly outbreaks could become the new normal. The US is at risk of losing its elimination status, which would be a significant setback for public health. The country’s inability to control the spread of measles is attributed to declining vaccination rates during the COVID-19 pandemic and low vaccination coverage in some areas.
The situation has been exacerbated by the global rise of measles, with large outbreaks reported in Mexico and parts of Canada. The World Health Organization has announced that Europe has seen its highest number of measles cases in over 25 years. Experts attribute this to declining vaccination rates globally, which creates an environment conducive to the spread of the disease.
With two unvaccinated children and one adult having died from measles this year, the outbreak’s impact on public health is becoming increasingly apparent. Losing elimination status would be a “deeply embarrassing” development for the US, highlighting the country’s inability to control vaccine-preventable diseases.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/09/well/us-measles-record-outbreaks.html