What's happened
A second measles outbreak along the Arizona-Utah border has infected over 400 people since August. Last year was the worst for measles since 1991, with 2,144 cases nationwide. Experts warn declining vaccination rates threaten herd immunity, risking further spread and severe complications.
What's behind the headline?
The current measles outbreak underscores the fragility of herd immunity in the US. Despite the vaccine's proven effectiveness, declining vaccination rates—especially in certain regions—are allowing the virus to spread again. The outbreak along the Arizona-Utah border, with over 400 cases, reflects broader national trends. Experts warn that undercounts in both states may mean the true scale is even larger. The resurgence threatens to undo decades of progress in disease control. The focus on vaccination is critical; without sustained high coverage, measles will continue to pose a significant health risk. This situation also exposes the impact of vaccine exemptions and pandemic-related disruptions, which have eroded public health defenses. Moving forward, increasing vaccination efforts and addressing exemptions will be essential to prevent further outbreaks and protect vulnerable populations.
What the papers say
The New York Post, The Independent, and AP News all report on the expanding measles outbreak along the Arizona-Utah border, emphasizing the rise in cases and the threat to herd immunity. The sources highlight that last year was the worst for measles since 1991, with over 2,100 cases nationwide, and stress the importance of vaccination. While all agree on the severity, The Independent and AP News provide detailed regional data and discuss the potential undercounting of cases, whereas The New York Post emphasizes the growing outbreak and vaccination challenges. The coverage collectively underscores the urgent need for increased immunization efforts to prevent further spread.
How we got here
Measles was declared eliminated in the US in 2000 due to high vaccination coverage. However, recent declines in vaccination rates, partly due to pandemic-related disruptions and increased exemptions, have led to outbreaks. The current surge in cases highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in public health defenses against highly contagious airborne diseases.
Go deeper
Common question
-
How Bad Is the Measles Outbreak in the US Now?
Recent measles outbreaks across the US have raised concerns about public health and vaccination rates. With over 2,100 cases last year—the worst since 1991—many are wondering just how serious the current situation is and what can be done to stay safe. Below, we answer common questions about the outbreak, why cases are rising, and how to protect yourself and your community.
More on these topics
-
Utah is a state in the western United States. It is bordered by Colorado to the east, Wyoming to the northeast, Idaho to the north, Arizona to the south, and Nevada to the west. It also touches a corner of New Mexico in the southeast.
-
South Carolina is a state in the Southeastern United States and the easternmost of the Deep South. It is bordered to the north by North Carolina, to the southeast by the Atlantic Ocean, and to the southwest by Georgia across the Savannah River.
-
Arizona is a state in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the Western and the Mountain states. It is the 6th largest and the 14th most populous of the 50 states. Its capital and largest city is Phoenix.
-
Measles (probably from Middle Dutch or Middle High German masel(e), meaning "blemish, blood blister") is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable infectious disease caused by measles virus. Other names include morbilli, rubeola, 9-day measles, red measles
-
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a national public health institute in the United States. It is a United States federal agency, under the Department of Health and Human Services, and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.