CDC chief: measles response won't change if US loses elimination status
The gist
CDC Director Dr. Erica Schwartz said the agency's measles response won't fundamentally change even if the US loses elimination status this month.
The US has held measles-free status since 2000, and a PAHO panel decision is expected soon.
How it unfolded
- Jan 2025The Texas measles outbreak started; at one point the state reported 15 to 20 new cases per day.
- Jul 9, 2025The CDC reported US measles cases were the highest in 33 years.
- Nov 13, 2025Canada lost its elimination status after failing to contain a nationwide outbreak for 12 months that topped 5,000 infections; this also meant loss of elimination status for the entire Americas region.
Key terms
- elimination status
- Official designation that a disease has stopped spreading continuously within a country, though reintroductions can still occur.
- PAHO
- A UN specialized agency promoting international health cooperation across the Americas.
- MMR vaccine
- A combination vaccine that protects against measles, mumps, and rubella.
Source: Wikipedia