World News
Experts expect PAHO panel to revoke US measles elimination status
A PAHO commission meets in Washington this week to review measles elimination status for the US, Mexico and Guatemala, after Canada lost its own last November.
The short version
- A PAHO commission is meeting in Washington to determine whether the US, Mexico and Guatemala retain measles elimination status.[Al Jazeera]
- PAHO reported 57,666 confirmed measles cases across the Americas from January to October 2026, and the US is having its largest, deadliest outbreak in nearly 30 years.[Al Jazeera]
- Public health experts expect the commission to revoke the US status, while Canada lost its status last November.[Al Jazeera · NBC News]
Key facts
- The commission is meeting in Washington, DC, to determine whether the US, Mexico and Guatemala retain measles elimination status.[Al Jazeera]
- PAHO reported 57,666 confirmed measles cases across 17 countries and territories in the Americas from January to October 2026.[Al Jazeera]
- Canada lost its measles elimination status last November.[Al Jazeera]
- According to the CDC, 92.4 percent of kindergartners were vaccinated against measles in 2026, down from 95.2 percent in 2020.[Scientific American]
- Public health experts expect the independent commission to revoke the United States' measles-free status.[NBC News]
What remains uncertain
- The commission has not announced a determination, and the expected revocation for the US is an expert expectation rather than an official decision.[Al Jazeera · NBC News]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.
- Why the US, Mexico and Guatemala may lose their measles-free statusAl Jazeera
- The U.S. may be on the cusp of losing its measles elimination statusScientific American metered
- America defeated measles in 2000. Vaccine opposition brought it roaring back.NBC News - Top Stories