Ongoing outbreaks could threaten the nation\u2019s measles elimination status<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By I. Edwards HealthDay Reporter<\/b>
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MONDAY, Jan. 5, 2026 (HealthDay News) \u2014 The U.S. recorded more than 2,000 measles<\/a> cases in 2025, the nation\u2019s highest yearly total in decades, health officials report.<\/p>\n As of Dec. 30, 2,065 measles cases had been confirmed nationwide, according to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a> (CDC).<\/p>\n The last time the United States saw more cases in a single year was 1992, before doctors routinely recommended two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine for children, CNN <\/em>reported.<\/p>\n Several large outbreaks are still spreading, including one in upstate South Carolina and another along the Arizona-Utah border, raising concerns that the U.S. could lose its measles elimination status, which it has held since 2000.<\/p>\n Measles is one of the world\u2019s most contagious diseases, but vaccination helps keep it in check. One dose of the MMR vaccine is 93% effective, while two doses are 97% effective, according to the CDC<\/a>.<\/p>\n Despite that protection, vaccination rates have dropped. During the 2024-25 school year, 92.5% of kindergarteners had received the MMR vaccine, which is below the 95% coverage public health experts say is needed to head off outbreaks.<\/p>\n One of the largest outbreaks of 2025 began in West Texas and spread into New Mexico. It ended in August after hundreds of cases and the deaths of two children and one adult, who were unvaccinated.<\/p>\n In South Carolina, health officials confirmed a measles outbreak in October that has grown to nearly 180 cases. At least 20 new cases have been reported since late December, and nearly 300 people have been in quarantine after being exposed.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know that a large number of our cases are those who we\u2019ve placed in quarantine because of known exposures,\u201d Dr. Linda Bell<\/a>, the state\u2019s epidemiologist, told CNN.<\/em><\/p>\n She added that the virus continues to spread in homes, schools and churches.<\/p>\n By year\u2019s end, another outbreak along the Utah-Arizona border had grown more than 350 cases combined.<\/p>\n Health officials are also watching developments beyond U.S. borders.<\/p>\n In November, Canada lost its measles elimination status<\/a> following a major outbreak, according to the Pan American Health Organization<\/a>, which works with the World Health Organization.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s important to say that all the other 34 countries in the region, they keep their certification as measles-free,\u201d PAHO\/WHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa<\/a> said at the time.<\/p>\n U.S. officials warn that genetic links between outbreaks in different states suggest measles will continue to spread.<\/p>\n \u201cThe trajectory that we\u2019re looking at now is that we do anticipate more cases well into January,\u201d Bell said. \u201cWhat that means for us nationally in terms of how they are defining our designation in this country as having eliminated measles is unclear.\u201d<\/p>\n More information<\/strong><\/p>\n The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on the current status of measles<\/a>.<\/p>\n