The United States is at risk of losing its longstanding measles elimination status, a designation held since 2000. This status signifies that there has been no continuous transmission of the disease for over a year. However, increasing vaccine hesitancy has led to a surge in infections, with the country reporting the highest number of cases in 25 years. As of now, there have been 1,648 cases and three deaths linked to measles in 2024, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Recent outbreaks in states like South Carolina and Utah are particularly concerning. In South Carolina, the outbreak, which began with exposures at elementary schools in Spartanburg County, has grown to 37 cases, predominantly among unvaccinated students. Meanwhile, Utah has reported 64 cases, with 61 of those individuals unvaccinated. If these cases are linked back to a severe outbreak in West Texas that started in January, the U.S. may lose its elimination status if control measures are not implemented effectively before the end of the year.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, ear infections, and brain swelling. The measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is reported to be 97 percent effective against infection, a critical factor in achieving the country’s elimination status. However, vaccination rates among children have declined since the onset of the pandemic. For the current 2024-2025 school year, fewer than 92.5 percent of kindergarteners have received the measles vaccine.
Dr. Susan Kressly, President of the American Academy of Pediatrics, expressed grave concern over the rising fatalities associated with measles. In an April letter addressed to Congressional leaders, she stated, “Even one child dying from measles is one too many. What makes these deaths so tragic is that immunization could have prevented these deaths.”
The situation is compounded by outbreaks in neighboring Canada, where more than 5,100 measles cases and two infant deaths have been reported since October 2024. This outbreak originated from a wedding in eastern Canada and has spread to nine of the country’s ten provinces. Lynora Saxinger, an infectious diseases specialist at the University of Alberta, remarked, “It’s tremendously disappointing. I never in my life thought I’d see a massive measles outbreak in Canada. Most of my career in infectious diseases, there’s been 10 cases a year or less.”
As vaccination hesitancy continues to grow, fueled by misinformation regarding vaccine safety, health officials are urging communities to increase immunization efforts. With the risk of losing its elimination status, both the U.S. and Canada face significant public health challenges that could have lasting impacts on populations across North America. The path forward requires a concerted effort to educate the public and address concerns surrounding vaccination, as the stakes could not be higher.
