Current United States Measles Elimination Status
Measles elimination is much more than a label!
The United States was designated free of measles way back in 2000! And now? What’s the current measles elimination status as we look at all the cases and outbreaks we have been seeing?
Is measles still eliminated in the United States?
Current United States Measles Elimination Status
As we continue to hit record setting numbers of measles cases, it is hard to believe that measles is still eliminated in the United States, especially with as little as Secretary Kennedy has done to help control the outbreaks…
Surprisingly, we won’t know of our status until mid-April!
“The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Regional Monitoring and Re-Verification Commission for Measles, Rubella, and Congenital Rubella Syndrome (RVC) has invited the United States and Mexico to meet virtually on April 13th, 2026, to review their measles elimination status.”
Measles elimination status in the United States and Mexico
That’s when an independent technical commission of the PAHO will meet to discuss our status.
What will they discuss?
“Following its review, the RVC will submit its recommendations to the PAHO Director. The Director will then formally determine the country’s classification and communicate the decision to the national authorities.”
Measles elimination status in the United States and Mexico
They will review and discuss how measles has been circulating in the United States and Mexico, specifically looking at if there has been the continuous spread of the same measles strain within each country for 12 consecutive months.
“The large Texas outbreak that began in January 2025 has ended, but additional U.S. cases occurred in subsequent months. Health officials are assessing whether these later cases could plausibly be linked to earlier transmission or if they reflect separate importations.”
Risk Assessment - Measles in the United States
That seems a safe bet, as the same D8-9171 genotype wild type strain of measles (NOT a vaccine strain!) has been detected in outbreaks in Texas, Utah, and Arizona.
“Texas submitted 92 identical DNA sequences in genotype D8; while 10 DNA sequences from New Mexico and one DNA sequence from Kansas were identical to those from Texas.”
Measles - United States of America
And apparently, in Kansas and New Mexico…
“Two measles cases in Gaines County, Texas bordering New Mexico’s Lea County raises concern of exposure for area residents traveling across state lines. Texas Health officials are checking for possible exposure among New Mexico residents.”
Southeast New Mexico at risk for measles exposure
Why does this matter?
Well, for one thing, the outbreaks in Utah (first case in June 2025 had no history of international travel) and Arizona are still ongoing.
So even though the Texas outbreak is over, if all of these outbreaks are linked because they involve the same strain, then that could mean that strain has been circulating within the United States for over 12 months.
And that will mean the United States will join the UK and Canada, both of which lost their elimination status this past year.
“The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) announced today that the Region of the Americas has lost its verification as free from endemic measles transmission.”
PAHO calls for regional action as the Americas lose measles elimination status
Of course, with Canada losing elimination status, it means that the Region of the Americas has it lost its measles elimination status too.
The North American Measles Outbreak
To catch folks up, in North America, there has been:
an ongoing multijurisdictional measles outbreak in Canada (began in October 2024), with over 5,500 confirmed and probable cases, 400 hospitalizations, and 2 deaths
an ongoing measles outbreak in Mexico (began in March 2025, when an 8-year-old unvaccinated Mennonite boy visited relatives in Seminole, Texas), with over 32,870 confirmed and probable cases, and 28 deaths, including 18 children
and of course the outbreaks in the United States (started January 2025 with a large outbreak in Texas), with at least 3,159 confirmed cases, over 250 hospitalizations, and 3 deaths
And yes, nearly all the cases are in those who are unvaccinated.
So with no end in sight to these outbreaks and the United States on the verge of losing its measles elimination status, it is a great time to make sure you and your family are vaccinated and protected!
“Elimination is more than a label. It reflects protective immunity within a population and the capacity of the public health system to prevent sustained outbreaks.”
Understanding Current U.S. Measles Outbreaks and Elimination Status
After all, if we have lost our measles elimination status, it will mean that measles has become endemic in the United States. That means you won’t have to go out of your way to be exposed to someone with measles! It means that there will be more cases in more places and outbreaks will get bigger and harder to control.
It means you won’t be able to hide in herd anymore, free-riding on the protection of those around you who have gotten vaccinated.
And tragically, it means that those who are too young to be vaccinated and those with immune system problems will have a harder time avoiding measles too!
Still have questions about measles or the MMR vaccine? I have likely answered them already, and I invite you to review all the articles I have written about measles over the years.