U.S. measles-free status may be lost as CDC deputy downplays significance

After more than a year of measles outbreaks that have sickened over 2,400 people, the United States is poised to lose its measles elimination status; CDC principal deputy Ralph Abraham said he was unbothered, and the agency is completing genomic analyses before the Pan American Health Organization decides.

The United States has experienced more than a year of measles outbreaks that have sickened over 2,400 people, and the country is now poised to lose its measles elimination status. To maintain that status, the nation must show the virus did not circulate continuously between Jan. 20, 2025, and Jan. 20, 2026. At a recent briefing, CDC principal deputy Ralph Abraham described the prospect as not significant. CDC scientists are sequencing full measles genomes and expect to complete their analyses in a couple of months before the Pan American Health Organization makes a decision. What is known: - More than 2,400 measles cases have occurred during outbreaks that began in 2025. - The United States may lose its measles elimination designation if the virus is shown to have circulated continuously for a year. - CDC principal deputy Ralph Abraham publicly downplayed the significance of losing the designation. - The CDC is analyzing full viral genomes and will publish results; the Pan American Health Organization will decide the country’s status. Summary: If genomic analyses indicate the outbreaks were linked and the virus circulated continuously, the U.S. could lose its measles elimination designation. The CDC expects to finish sequencing in the coming months and then the Pan American Health Organization will rule on the status.