The United States and Mexico face losing their measles elimination status as international health experts review whether outbreaks have sustained transmission of the virus for at least a year, according to the Associated Press. A final decision has not yet been announced.
A commission convened by the Pan American Health Organization is examining genetic evidence from outbreaks across North America. Its findings will go to PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa, who makes the final determination. PAHO officials told AP an announcement was being planned for the following week.
What losing elimination status means
Elimination does not mean a country never records an imported measles case. The review concerns whether the virus has returned to sustained circulation within its borders. The United States achieved elimination status in 2000 and Mexico in 2016. Canada lost its designation last year, AP reported.
Experts are assessing whether the same virus has circulated for one year or longer. A loss of status would mark a reversal of gains made through vaccination, rather than the emergence of a new disease.
Cases and deaths raise concern
At the time of AP’s report, the United States had recorded more than 5,100 confirmed measles cases this year and eight measles-associated deaths. AP described it as the country’s worst year for measles illnesses since 1991, with a Pennsylvania outbreak driving much of the increase.
Mexico had reported more than 20,500 confirmed cases and 50 measles-related deaths, most involving children younger than five, according to the report.
Vaccination gaps remain central
Health experts cited by AP say vaccination coverage of about 95% is needed to prevent an imported infection from triggering an outbreak. US childhood coverage fell to roughly 92% nationally last year, with lower levels in some communities.
CDC Director Erica Schwartz said losing the designation would not change the agency’s focus on vaccination and working with state and local health departments to stop outbreaks. Public health specialists, however, called for stronger federal promotion of vaccination and clearer guidance for doctors.
Critics cited by AP faulted Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s approach to vaccine policy. The report noted that proposals to space out measles, mumps and rubella vaccination run against medical groups’ recommendations. Claims linking vaccines to autism have been disproven.
Decision still pending
The immediate next step is PAHO’s determination on sustained transmission. The designation review does not itself stop outbreaks; vaccination coverage and the response in affected communities remain the central public health issues.
