'This might be the point of no return': Experts on the current measles outbreak and where we go from here
The United States is facing a resurgence of measles cases that could jeopardize its long‑standing elimination status. Experts from Boston Children’s Hospital warn that clusters observed since early 2025 may signal a point of no return, especially as vaccination rates decline. An official assessment of the country’s measles elimination status is slated for November 2026.
- ▪Measles cases in the U.S. began rising sharply in January 2025, prompting concerns about sustained transmission.
- ▪If the U.S. loses its elimination status, it would join other high‑income nations like the U.K. and Canada that have experienced local measles resurgences.
- ▪A progress report by Dr. Anne Bischops and Maimuna Majumder highlights the difficulty of maintaining elimination and warns that small outbreaks can quickly expand across state lines.
- ▪The World Health Organization will evaluate the United States’ elimination status in November, which will determine whether the country is still considered measles‑free.
- ▪Declining vaccination coverage is identified as a key factor driving the current outbreak and the potential loss of elimination status.
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Health Viruses, Infections & Disease 'This might be the point of no return': Experts on the current measles outbreak and where we go from here Live Science spoke with two authors of a "progress report" detailing America's ongoing measles outbreak. By Nicoletta Lanese published 13 June 2026 in Interview MEMBER EXCLUSIVE When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. The U.S. had eliminated measles, but now, the country is seeing a resurgence that may signal that the disease has reestablished itself.
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