Trending Now - Measles Resurgence Signals Potential Health Crisis Ahead
WHO:
President Trump is mentioned in the context of public health discussions.
Brown University’s Pandemic Center is involved in studying outbreak preparedness and response.
The Pan American Health Organization is responsible for deciding on the U.S. measles elimination status.
WHAT:
As of March 6, 2026, 30 states have reported measles cases this year, and 47 states have seen cases since the start of 2025.
The U.S. has recorded over 3,500 measles cases since the start of 2025, which is more than in the entire preceding decade.
A 6-year-old in Connecticut was diagnosed with subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) in 2025.
A school-age child in California died of SSPE after contracting measles as an infant before being vaccinated.
Measles has been continuously circulating in the U.S. for more than a year as of March 2026.
There have been 1,300 confirmed measles infections in the U.S. as of March 6, 2026.
In 2025, there were 2,283 confirmed measles cases in the U.S., with 11% resulting in hospitalization.
Three people died from measles in the U.S. in 2025, the highest number since the disease's elimination in 2000.
The cost of containing measles outbreaks can reach tens of thousands of dollars per case.
WHERE:
The initial outbreak of measles began in Texas from January to August 2025.
An ongoing outbreak is occurring on the Utah and Arizona border since August 2025.
A measles outbreak in South Carolina began in September 2025 and increased significantly in January 2026.
Canada lost its measles elimination status in November 2025.
WHEN:
The U.S. achieved measles elimination in 2000.
The Pan American Health Organization was scheduled to decide on the U.S. measles status in April 2026, but postponed until November 2026.
The measles outbreaks in the U.S. have been ongoing since 2025.
WHY:
The risk of developing SSPE is significantly higher for those who contract measles before age 5, with estimates suggesting one in 10,000 people who get measles will develop SSPE.
The resurgence of measles is attributed to falling vaccination rates, which have dropped below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity.
Low levels of vaccination across the country are causing ongoing measles outbreaks, leading to hospitalizations and deaths among the unvaccinated.
HOW:
The Child Neurology Society published a video in January 2026 to educate U.S. clinicians about SSPE.
Containing measles outbreaks involves deploying vaccines, detecting and isolating cases, identifying exposed contacts, and ensuring they stay home if contagious.
(UPDATED March 13, 2026 03:42 UTC)
As of March 6, 2026, the U.S. has reported over 3,500 measles cases since the start of 2025, marking a significant increase compared to the entire preceding decade, with 30 states currently reporting cases this year. Tragically, a school-age child in California died from subacute sclerosing panencephalitis after contracting measles as an infant, highlighting the serious risks associated with the disease, especially for those infected before age five. In response to these alarming trends, the Child Neurology Society released a video in January to help educate clinicians about SSPE and its implications.
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(UPDATED March 13, 2026 01:26 UTC)
Today, President Trump is being discussed in relation to public health as the U.S. continues to grapple with a measles outbreak that has persisted for over a year, with 1,300 confirmed cases as of last Monday. The resurgence of measles is largely due to declining vaccination rates, which have fallen below the critical 95% needed for herd immunity, resulting in hospitalizations and even deaths among the unvaccinated. The Pan American Health Organization is set to evaluate the U.S. measles elimination status in November, following a postponement from its original April date.