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US Measles-Free Status at Risk After Year-Long Outbreak
21 Jan
Summary
- International health authorities will meet in April to decide US measles-free status.
- Over 2,144 measles cases were confirmed across 44 states last year.
- Vaccination rates have declined due to waivers, access issues, and disinformation.
International health authorities are scheduled to convene in April to assess whether the United States has lost its measles-free designation. This reevaluation comes after a year-long measles outbreak that began in West Texas and has raised concerns among experts about the vaccine-preventable virus potentially re-establishing a significant presence. The United States could follow Canada in losing its achievement of having eliminated measles.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 2,144 measles cases in 44 states last year, marking the highest count since 1991. This situation has been developing over several years, with routine childhood vaccination rates declining due to factors such as parental waivers, healthcare access challenges, and the spread of disinformation. Officials acknowledge that clear messaging about vaccination's importance has been insufficient.
