Recent developments indicate that the United States is on the brink of losing its measles elimination status, with federal health officials warning that the country could revert to endemic transmission within two months. This alarming trend stems from two large-scale outbreaks that are now linked, according to a report by The New York Times.

Sources reveal that a recorded call between CDC officials and state health authorities confirmed the connection between the ongoing outbreaks at the Arizona-Utah border and the earlier, severe outbreak in West Texas, which started in January. Both outbreaks are caused by the same measles virus subtype, signifying a continued and widespread transmission.

Experts emphasize the significance of this link, especially as Canada recently lost its measles elimination status. Losing this designation means measles is no longer considered eradicated in the US, posing a serious setback for public health efforts. According to epidemiologists, persistent outbreaks threaten to undo years of progress in controlling this vaccine-preventable disease.

Public health officials warn that unless containment measures improve, the US risks a return to endemic measles, complicating vaccination and disease prevention strategies nationwide.

David Nield

Dave is a freelance tech journalist with over 20 years covering gadgets, apps, and the web. From Stockport, England, he covers news, features, and reviews for TechRadar, focusing on phones, tablets, and wearables. He ensures top weekend breaking news and has bylines at Gizmodo, T3, PopSci, and others. He edited PC Explorer and The Hardware Handbook for years. Read me on x.com or linkedin.