US Measles Outbreak Reaches Highest Level in 35 Years
More than 2,300 measles cases have been confirmed in 45 U.S. states, the highest number recorded in the past 35 years. Over 90% of the infections involve unvaccinated children and teenagers, and the outbreak has already caused deaths – two children in Texas and an adult in New Mexico. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Johns Hopkins University provide the data. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., appointed by former President Donald Trump, has faced criticism for his anti‑vaccination statements, which officials say have contributed to declining immunisation rates.
Canada, which had declared measles eradicated in 1998, recently lost that status due to a resurgence of cases in the region, underscoring the cross‑border risk. Public health experts warn that the upcoming World Cup and winter‑holiday travel could further spread the virus, urging travelers to verify their vaccination status.