U.S. loses measles-free status after continued spread of the disease: report
The Pan American Health Organization has revoked the United States' measles-free status due to a sustained, year-long transmission of the virus. This resurgence coincides with record-high infection rates and declining vaccination coverage.
Why it matters
The loss of measles-free status marks a significant public health setback for the U.S., underscoring the dangers of rising vaccine hesitancy.
The Pan American Health Organization has revoked the United States’ measles-elimination status after 26 years, because the country did not halt continuous transmission of the highly contagious virus for more than a year, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday (November 13, 2026). The international health body did not immediately respond to a request from Reuters for comment on the report, which cited people familiar with the matter. Why we need to take measles seriously again Why we need to take measles seriously again Measles is far more than just a rash and a fever: the virus systematically targets and destroys the cells that form the backbone of the immune system’s memory.
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