Council on Foreign Relations. Health
The measles resurgence has become a growing global concern despite decades of successful vaccination efforts. Once declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, measles is now reappearing both domestically and worldwide. This trend reflects declining vaccination rates, weakened public health systems, and increasing skepticism toward vaccines.
What Is Driving the Measles Resurgence
Measles remains one of the most contagious infectious diseases, capable of spreading rapidly in populations with insufficient immunity. Although vaccination campaigns since the 1960s drastically reduced cases and deaths, gaps in coverage persist. According to global estimates, nearly ninety-five thousand people died from measles in 2024, highlighting its continued impact.
Several structural factors explain the measles resurgence. These include long-standing global inequalities, limited access to vaccines in lower-income countries, and disruptions caused by geopolitical conflicts. As noted by experts such as Jonathan Mosser, vaccine hesitancy and uneven distribution have created vulnerable populations where outbreaks can spread more easily.
Global Measles Outbreaks and Loss of Elimination Status
Recent outbreaks have been concentrated in countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Iraq, and Kazakhstan, with tens of thousands of reported cases. At the same time, several countries that had previously eliminated measles have lost that status. The World Health Organization confirmed that multiple countries in Europe and Central Asia no longer meet elimination criteria.
In North America, the situation is also deteriorating. Canada lost its elimination status in 2025, while the United States and Mexico face similar risks. The United States alone recorded more than 2,200 cases in 2025 and over 1,600 cases by early 2026. As Jennifer Nuzzo warns, this erosion of control signals broader weaknesses in disease prevention and response systems.
Declining Vaccination Rates and Pandemic Disruptions
The measles resurgence is closely linked to declining vaccination coverage. To achieve herd immunity, at least 95 percent of the population must be vaccinated. However, many countries have fallen below this threshold. The COVID-19 pandemic further disrupted immunization programs through lockdowns, strained health systems, and reduced access to care.
In addition, vaccine skepticism has grown, fueled in part by misinformation and political rhetoric. In the United States, policy shifts under Donald Trump have contributed to reduced federal support for immunization programs. These trends have created “pockets of susceptibility,” where outbreaks can spread rapidly even if national averages appear relatively high.
Funding Cuts and Weakening Global Response
Funding reductions have also played a critical role in the measles resurgence. Cuts to domestic and international health programs have limited the capacity to prevent and respond to outbreaks. The World Health Organization has warned that widening immunization gaps will continue to drive transmission.
Global initiatives have been particularly affected. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance faces significant funding shortfalls, which have already led to reduced vaccine coverage and smaller emergency stockpiles. These constraints are expected to decrease the number of preventable deaths and weaken global disease surveillance systems.
Reference
Venkat, S. (2026). Many Countries Eliminated Measles. Why Is It Coming Back in the U.S. and Globally? Council on Foreign Relations. https://www.cfr.org/articles/many-countries-eliminated-measles-why-is-it-coming-back-in-the-u-s-and-globally