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US Measles Threat Grows: Elimination Status at Risk
16 Dec
Summary
- Measles outbreaks are resurging in several US states, threatening elimination status.
- Declining vaccination rates are linked to misinformation spread by the anti-vaccine movement.
- Outbreaks in South Carolina, Arizona, and Utah share virus strains with Texas.
- Health officials express concern over the growing number of measles cases.
The United States faces a growing threat of measles resurgence, jeopardizing its long-held elimination status for the highly contagious disease. Recent outbreaks in South Carolina, Arizona, and Utah, some linked to the same virus strain from a deadly West Texas outbreak, signal a broader national concern.
Experts point to declining vaccination rates as a key factor, largely fueled by persistent misinformation campaigns from the anti-vaccine movement. These narratives have sowed hesitancy among parents, leading to a significant drop in the percentage of children receiving the crucial measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, falling below the target needed for herd immunity.
With hundreds of confirmed cases and multiple outbreaks across the country, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are monitoring the situation closely. Health authorities emphasize that measles is preventable and reiterate the importance of vaccination to protect communities and maintain the nation's public health achievements.
