Kathmandu— The United States is experiencing a significant rise in measles cases, with two deaths recently reported in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The fatalities, announced by state health officials on Tuesday, are the first linked to the virus in decades and come as infections reach levels not seen in 35 years. Both individuals were unvaccinated against the highly contagious disease, which was declared eliminated in the US in 2000.

Rising Case Numbers

As of August 20th, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recorded 2,777 measles cases this year. This figure surpasses the total number of cases reported in 2025 – 2,289 – and marks the highest level since 1991, when 9,643 cases were documented. Outbreaks have been confirmed in 47 US states and territories, with an overwhelming majority—94%—occurring among individuals who are not vaccinated.

Historical Context and Vaccination Rates

Prior to the widespread adoption of measles vaccination programs in the 1960s, the disease caused between 400 and 500 deaths annually in the US. The success of mass vaccination efforts led to its official elimination in the country in 2000. Maintaining a vaccination rate of approximately 95% is crucial for preventing outbreaks, but current rates fall short of this threshold.

Factors Contributing to Resurgence

Dr. Adam Ratner, an advisor to the CDC, suggested last year that skepticism surrounding Covid-19 vaccines has extended to other vaccinations. He explained to the JAMA medical journal that the politicization of Covid shots beginning in 2020 created hesitancy and divisiveness which then impacted attitudes toward childhood vaccines generally. US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., while a long-time vaccine skeptic, affirmed the safety of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, stating that “the decision to vaccinate is a personal one.”

Regional Status Under Review

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), an arm of the World Health Organization (WHO), will convene in November to assess whether the US and Mexico can still be considered measles-free nations, given the recent outbreaks. The decision will consider current infection rates and vaccination coverage across both countries.

Health officials continue to emphasize the importance of vaccination as the most effective means of preventing the spread of measles and protecting vulnerable populations.

(With inputs from RT)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.