U.S. seeks to retain measles elimination status as infections mount

U.S. officials say recent measles outbreaks appear unrelated to a large Texas outbreak and will present data to the Pan American Health Organization, which will review whether the U.S. keeps its measles elimination status.

U.S. health officials are making the case that recent measles outbreaks in South Carolina and other states are not linked to a large 2025 outbreak that began in Texas. The country has recorded its highest number of confirmed measles infections in three decades, with 2,065 confirmed cases reported. To retain World Health Organization elimination status, a country must show no local transmission of the same strain for 12 months. The Pan American Health Organization will evaluate U.S. measles data this year to determine whether elimination status remains in place. Known details: - U.S. and state health officials say they have not found epidemiological links between the Texas outbreak and some ongoing outbreaks, according to CDC and HHS statements. - Genetic analyses performed by state labs and the CDC have been used to assess whether virus samples are related, with early, non-public CDC findings reported as suggesting the outbreaks are not directly connected. - PAHO will review the U.S. submission, which covers 2,065 confirmed cases, and make an assessment on elimination status. Summary: U.S. officials are presenting evidence aimed at showing recent cases were imported rather than continuous spread from the Texas outbreak. PAHO will review the material and decide whether the United States retains measles elimination status; the outcome is undetermined at this time.