CDC Reports Surge in Measles Cases, Threatening U.S. Elimination Status
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported a significant increase in measles cases in the United States, with over 1,600 infections recorded as of early April 2026. This surge is on track to surpass the 2,286 cases confirmed in 2025, the highest since 1991. The majority of these cases are linked to outbreaks that began in 2025, with 94% being outbreak-associated. The CDC highlights that 92% of the cases involve unvaccinated individuals. The resurgence of measles, a disease declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, is raising concerns about the country's ability to maintain its elimination status, which requires proving that the virus has not circulated continuously for a year.