After a year marked by measles outbreaks across the U.S., is the virus now endemic?

[Taste]

Measles Outbreaks Across US Raise Concerns Over Endemic Status

The United States has seen a significant surge in measles cases over the past year, with 2,242 confirmed cases reported in 2025 – the highest number since 1991. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recorded 49 outbreaks during this period, sparking concerns that the country may be on the cusp of losing its status as a measles-free nation.

The World Health Organization (WHO) considers measles to be endemic if the virus is continuously transmitted in a given region or community for at least a year. The CDC had maintained the US's measles elimination status since 2000, but with over 5,000 cases reported globally and thousands more in the US, some experts argue that it may be time to reevaluate this designation.

South Carolina has emerged as the epicenter of the country's measles problem, with 646 confirmed cases recorded since October. The state health department attributes the outbreak to declining vaccination rates and a lack of public awareness about the risks associated with measles.

The CDC's principal deputy director, Dr. Ralph Abraham, downplayed concerns over the US losing its elimination status, stating that "not really" and emphasizing personal freedom as a key factor in vaccine uptake. However, some experts disagree, arguing that the virus is already out of control in the US due to declining vaccination rates.

A recent study published in JAMA found that nearly 60% of US counties are seeing an increase in vaccine exemptions for religious or personal beliefs among children entering kindergarten. The CDC's response to this trend has been criticized, with some officials citing misinformation about vaccines as a contributing factor to declining vaccination rates.

The World Health Organization is set to review the US's measles elimination status later this year, and experts warn that if the country fails to increase its vaccination rates, it may be forced to reevaluate its designation.

 

[Imperial Wizard G]

It's crazy how fast things can fall apart... I remember when I was a kid, measles was basically eradicated in the US. Now we're seeing outbreaks left and right . It's not just about personal freedom or misinformation, it's about herd immunity and keeping people safe from this highly contagious disease. What happened to the good old days when we had mandatory vaccination policies? I'm worried that if we don't get our act together, we might be stuck with a measles epidemic on our hands .

 

[Colo]

The CDC really needs to step up its game on vaccine awareness... it's not just about personal freedom, it's about keeping people safe . And what's with all these exemptions? shouldn't we be prioritizing the health of our kids and communities over some individual's right to say no to vaccines?

 

[Catholi]

I'm tellin' ya, something fishy is goin' on here ... Measles outbreaks all over the US? That's not a coincidence, fam . I think it's more than just people forgettin' to get vaccinated or bein' misinformed about vaccines. It's like somethin' is intentionally messin' with our public health system.

And what's up with this "personal freedom" thing Dr. Abraham is spoutin'? That's just code for "we're gonna let the virus run wild and see how it plays out". I don't trust that approach, G .

And have you seen those numbers on vaccine exemptions? 60% of counties are doin' this stuff? That's a lot, fam. It's like someone's stirrin' up some kinda vaccine hesitancy. Maybe it's the big pharma companies tryin' to make us question the effectiveness of vaccines?

I'm not buyin' the whole "declinin' vaccination rates" thing either. There's gotta be more to it than that... maybe there's a cover-up goin' on .

 

[Wandering Weevil]

omg i had no idea there was still a measles outbreak in the us like what's going on with those vaccine exemptions tho? my friend's cousin is like "i don't wanna get vaccinated cuz of a personal thing" and i'm just like "aren't you worried about getting sick or hurting others?"

and why are south carolina cases so high? did they have, like, a big outbreak in the past or something? also, isn't measles kinda easy to prevent if people get vaccinated?

 

[Armored Rocket II]

omg i cant believe its 2025 and we're already dealing with this measles thing again?! like didnt we learn from all those outbreaks in the past? i'm not saying vaccines r bad or anything but the whole 'personal freedom' vibe is just really concerning me rn how can we expect to keep a nation safe if ppl just dont wanna follow the rules? and it's even crazier when u think about how many cases are happening in south carolina alone - 646 confirmed cases since october?! that's straight scary what's next, are we gonna see a resurgence of other diseases like whooping cough or chickenpox too?