US Loses Measles Elimination Status Following Case Surge

The United States has lost its measles elimination status, held for 26 years, due to ongoing transmission and a significant increase in cases. International health authorities cited 5,182 confirmed U.S. cases in 2026, with the CDC reporting 5,412 cases across 45 states. This public health setback is partly attributed to a decline in vaccination coverage among kindergarteners, falling below the recommended 95% threshold.