Health experts predict U.S. is likely to lose measles elimination status as Pennsylvania battles largest outbreak in three decades

From Philly and the Pa. suburbs to South Jersey and Delaware, what would you like WHYY News to cover? Let us know!

The Details

As Pennsylvania deals with one of the nation’s largest measles outbreaks of the past three decades, doctors and public health experts predict that the United States will soon lose its global measles elimination status. The U.S. achieved that designation 26 years ago after the viral disease was declared eradicated following mass vaccination campaigns.

A scientific panel of the Pan America Health Organization, a branch of the World Health Organization, met this week. An announcement on the country’s elimination status is expected early next week.

“It is a step backward, but in some ways, it doesn t matter,” pediatrician Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, said of the possible status change.

“I think measles is endemic in this country. I think it has gained a foothold. I think we re going to be seeing measles ag