The United States is facing the risk of losing its status as a nation free from measles, a disease it has held since 2000, as reported. The recent surge in measles outbreaks across the country has raised concerns among health authorities.
As of the latest update, 41 cases of measles have been confirmed in 15 states and New York City, putting the nation on track to surpass the total of 58 cases reported in 2023.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stated, “While we anticipate continued importations of measles cases into the United States, the overall risk of measles for the majority of the population remains low due to widespread vaccination.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines measles elimination as the absence of continuous transmission of the measles virus in a specific geographic area for at least 12 months, supported by a robust surveillance system.
In 2000, the United States was declared measles-free, signifying that the disease was no longer endemic in the country. However, the risk persists due to imported cases, which can lead to outbreaks among unvaccinated individuals.
If a measles outbreak persists for a year or more, the United States could lose its measles elimination status, according to health experts.
WHO has recently warned about a significant increase in measles cases worldwide, with over 306,000 cases reported in 2023, marking a 79% increase from the previous year. Natasha Crowcroft, a technical advisor at WHO, expressed concern about the rising death toll associated with measles.
Sarah Lim, an infectious disease physician and member of the Infectious Disease Society of America, also voiced concern about the ongoing trend and the potential for further escalation in measles cases.
Attention has been particularly drawn to Florida, where ten measles cases have been reported across two counties, underscoring the urgency of addressing the situation.
