The United States could lose its measles‑elimination status after the number of reported cases more than doubled during the past year, health officials warned.
According to recent surveillance data, the annual count of measles infections in the country rose sharply, surpassing the levels that had been maintained for several years. The increase has prompted concerns that the nation may no longer meet the criteria for elimination set by the World Health Organization.
Measles elimination is defined as the absence of continuous disease transmission for at least 12 months in a defined geographic area, a benchmark that the United States has held for decades thanks to widespread vaccination programs.
Dr. Céline Gounder, an expert in infectious diseases, shared her thoughts on the situation, emphasizing that the upward trend highlights the importance of sustained public‑health vigilance.
Public‑health authorities say that maintaining high vaccination coverage remains the most effective strategy to curb the resurgence and preserve the country’s elimination status.
<small>Source: CBS News — read the original story there.</small>