The US could lose its measles-free status if it fails to contain the outbreak by the end of January next year, NBC News reported.
Measles was declared eradicated in the United States in 2000, but as of early 2025, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recorded 1,544 confirmed cases of the disease. Only 21 of those cases were among foreign visitors to the country.
As NBC News notes, the spread of the disease may be linked to low measles vaccination rates in the United States.
Measles is one of the most contagious viral diseases. It is considered a childhood disease, but adults are also susceptible. The infection is spread through airborne droplets. Measles can cause complications such as ear infections, meningitis, and encephalitis, as well as lead to death.