The United States could lose its measles elimination status, a public health achievement it has held since 2000.
An independent commission of experts convened by the Pan American Health Organization is meeting this week to review whether the virus has spread continuously in the country for 12 months or longer.
The closed-door meeting runs through Friday, and PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa will make the final decision.
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If the U.S. loses the status, it will join Canada, which lost its elimination status in November 2025.
The U.S. is experiencing its worst measles year since 1991, with 5,182 confirmed cases reported in 2026 as of Nov. 5, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That is up from 2,289 cases in all of 2025.
The CDC reported 86 cases in 2000.
The agency says most cases are associated with outbreaks. Eighteen involved international visitors.
State health officials have confirmed eight deaths from measles, one of the world’s most contagious diseases, so far this year: six in Pennsylvania, one in New York and one in Wisconsin. At least four involved infants or children.
Even if the U.S. loses its elimination status, the CDC will not fundamentally change its response to the outbreaks, CDC Director Dr. Erica Schwartz told Reuters on Tuesday.
She said she expects a decision early next week.
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