US Nears 1,000 Measles Cases Amid Elimination Status Concerns

Surge in cases raises fears of losing 'elimination' status, as officials urge vaccination

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The United States is nearing 1,000 confirmed measles cases since the start of 2026, according to recent reports, sparking concerns about a resurgence of the highly contagious disease and the potential loss of the country's measles elimination status, which it achieved in 2000. Public health experts attribute the increase in cases to undermined vaccine access and altered public messaging.

Why it matters

Losing the measles elimination status would be an embarrassment for the United States and a setback in the global effort to control the disease. The surge in cases highlights the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to prevent the spread of preventable diseases.

The details

A measles outbreak originating in Gaines County, Texas in January resulted in the deaths of two children and sickened at least 760 people. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is scheduled to determine in April whether the virus strain has been transmitted without interruption for 12 months, a threshold that would officially strip the U.S. of its measles elimination status. Public health experts attribute the increase in cases to undermined vaccine access and altered public messaging.

  • The United States is nearing 1,000 confirmed measles cases since the start of 2026.
  • In January, a measles outbreak in Gaines County, Texas resulted in the deaths of two children and sickened at least 760 people.
  • PAHO is scheduled to determine in April whether the virus strain has been transmitted without interruption for 12 months, which would strip the U.S. of its measles elimination status.

The players

Dr. Mehmet Oz

Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, who publicly urged Americans to get vaccinated against measles on February 8th.

President Donald Trump

Appeared alongside Dr. Oz and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to urge Americans to get the measles vaccine.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Health and Human Services Secretary, who appeared alongside Dr. Oz and President Trump to urge Americans to get the measles vaccine.

Dr. John Swartzberg

An infectious disease specialist at UC Berkeley, who described losing the measles elimination status as 'an embarrassment for the United States.'

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What they’re saying

“Take the vaccine, please.”

— Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (Associated Press)

“Losing the elimination status would be an embarrassment for the United States.”

— Dr. John Swartzberg, Infectious disease specialist at UC Berkeley (N/A)

What’s next

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is scheduled to determine in April whether the measles virus strain has been transmitted without interruption for 12 months, a threshold that would officially strip the U.S. of its measles elimination status.

The takeaway

The surge in measles cases in the U.S. highlights the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates to prevent the spread of preventable diseases. Losing the measles elimination status would be a setback in the global effort to control the disease and an embarrassment for the United States.