U.S. Measles Status Ends After 26 Years

For the first time since 2000, the U.S. no longer qualifies as having eliminated measles. The Pan American Health Organization made the decision after cases climbed sharply nationwide. The World Health Organization’s standard requires a country to go without locally spreading infections or an outbreak continuing for at least 12 months.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has counted 5,412 cases during 2026, compared with 2,242 in 2025. This year’s infections have led to more than 590 hospital stays and at least six deaths, while some states list additional fatalities. Cases have appeared in 45 states and Washington, D.C. Pennsylvania has the largest outbreak, exceeding 1,500 cases, with seven associated deaths. New York and Wisconsin have each recorded one death. About one-third of this year’s cases are connected to outbreaks that started in 2025 and remain active.

The change matters for Spokane families because measles exposure is no longer viewed mainly through overseas travel. Dr. Céline Gounder said emergency rooms and pediatricians now need to consider the disease when evaluating fever and rash. CDC figures show that 96% of people infected in 2026 were either unvaccinated or had an uncertain vaccination history; 2% were fully vaccinated. Maintaining elimination requires vaccination coverage of at least 95%, according to the Pan American Health Organization. Regaining the designation would require higher vaccination levels, along with case surveillance, laboratory resources and rapid outbreak response. The organization plans a Tuesday news conference.