WASHINGTON — The United States is facing a review of its measles elimination status after a sustained resurgence of cases prompted health authorities to assess whether ongoing transmission has interrupted a public health milestone achieved more than two decades ago.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), which verifies measles elimination status in the Americas, said the United States’ status will be reviewed during its Regional Verification Commission meeting in November 2026. The review follows continued measles transmission and an analysis by U.S. health authorities that includes epidemiological and genetic data on circulating virus strains.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 2,030 confirmed measles cases in the country as of June 4, 2026, with cases reported across 40 jurisdictions. The agency said the figures represent confirmed infections reported to CDC by states and other jurisdictions.
Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, meaning the virus was no longer continuously spreading domestically and infections were generally linked to international importations followed by limited transmission. The designation does not mean the disease is permanently absent, but that sustained endemic spread has been interrupted.
The current review centers on whether the country has experienced prolonged transmission that meets the criteria for losing elimination status. PAHO said the assessment will consider countries with active outbreaks and those that have experienced sustained transmission for a year or longer.
Health officials have linked recent increases to outbreaks involving multiple states, with vaccination gaps identified as a factor in allowing measles to spread. The CDC has continued to monitor outbreaks and provide updated case counts, while state and local health departments have led response efforts, including surveillance and vaccination activities.
The resurgence follows a major increase in measles activity in the United States in recent years. CDC data showed 2,288 confirmed measles cases were reported in 2025, a level that raised concerns among public health authorities about renewed domestic transmission.
Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that can be prevented through vaccination. Public health agencies have emphasized maintaining high vaccination coverage as the primary method for preventing outbreaks and restoring control of transmission.
PAHO has not announced a final decision on the United States’ elimination status. The next confirmed step is the Regional Verification Commission review scheduled for November 2026, where officials will evaluate available evidence and determine whether the country continues to meet measles elimination criteria.
