Measles Elimination Status at Risk for US and Mexico

International health experts are gathering in a closed-door meeting this week to assess whether the US and Mexico have lost their measles elimination status, a major public health achievement.

The US had been measles-free for over three decades, with the disease becoming a rarity and deaths from it virtually unheard of. However, large outbreaks have occurred in multiple states over the past two years, resulting in thousands of illnesses and about a dozen deaths.

Measles is an extremely contagious disease that has spread rapidly across North America since 2024. The meeting, convened by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), will determine if the same measles virus has been continuously spreading within the US and Mexico's borders for over a year.

Experts expect the meeting to show that measles has officially returned to both countries, marking a significant setback in public health efforts. The decision would be a major blow to the progress made in eliminating the disease.

The implications of losing measles elimination status are far-reaching, with Dr. David Margolius, director of Cleveland's health department, describing it as "a big deal" that represents moving backwards on public health achievements.

The commission's decision to strip the US and Mexico of their measles elimination status will be based solely on genetic factors, according to Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease expert at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security.

If the commission finds that the countries can no longer meet the criteria for eliminating measles, PAHO officials will inform Director Jarbas Barbosa, a former Brazilian health official, who will make the final determination. An announcement of the findings is scheduled to take place next week, according to PAHO officials.

The loss of measles elimination status does not mean that federal health officials will change their approach to addressing outbreaks, according to CDC Director Erica Schwartz. She emphasized in a statement that vaccination remains the key to protecting Americans from measles and other infectious diseases.

Public health experts are calling for a more vigorous campaign to promote vaccinations and provide guidance to doctors, citing what they see as a muted federal response to the ongoing outbreak. They point out that US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s past involvement in the anti-vaccine movement has contributed to the current situation.

The proposed changes to the vaccine schedule have sparked concerns among health experts who fear they could lead to a decline in vaccination rates.

Measles can be a serious illness, causing high fever and a distinctive rash that typically starts on the face and neck. In some cases, it can result in blindness or swelling of the brain, especially in young children and adults over 30.

The US had made significant progress in reducing measles cases, achieving elimination status in 2000 after decades of vaccination efforts. However, maintaining high vaccination rates is crucial to prevent outbreaks when an infected individual enters a community.

A minimum of 95% vaccination rate is considered necessary to ensure that communities remain protected against measles outbreaks. Experts warn that slipping below this threshold could have severe consequences for public health.

The US has seen its childhood vaccination rates decline in recent years, partly due to misinformation about the safety and efficacy of vaccines.

Measles cases in the US have skyrocketed, with over 5,100 confirmed instances this year already surpassing the total for 2025. The majority of these cases can be attributed to a massive outbreak in Pennsylvania that has overshadowed earlier outbreaks in other states.

The alarming surge in measles cases is not limited to the number of infections but also comes with devastating consequences. So far this year, eight measles-related deaths have been recorded, marking one of the highest tolls in over three decades. This grim milestone marks a stark contrast to the 1991 record, when the country was plagued by a similar outbreak.

Mexico's own struggle with measles is equally concerning, with vaccination efforts hindered by a delayed introduction of the measles vaccine. It wasn't until years after its US counterpart was first licensed in 1963 that Mexico began administering shots. The nation didn't achieve measles elimination status until 2016.

The spread of measles in Mexico can be linked to an outbreak in the northern border state of Chihuahua, which researchers believe stemmed from an unvaccinated child who traveled to Texas and returned infected. This incident highlights the interconnectedness of public health issues across borders.

Reports from around the world indicate that several countries have lost their measles elimination status, including Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Spain, the UK, and Uzbekistan. The World Health Organization confirmed these losses at the beginning of this year, underscoring the global nature of the measles crisis.

The US and Mexico are on the cusp of surrendering a significant health triumph, as efforts to eradicate measles in both countries continue to face major setbacks.

A combination of factors has contributed to this precarious situation, including declining vaccination rates and the spread of misinformation about vaccine safety. The World Health Organization's confirmation of these losses at the beginning of this year underscored the global nature of the measles crisis. With many lives still at risk, it remains to be seen whether a reversal can be achieved before further damage is done.