U.S. Measles Deaths Mount as Cases Exceed 5,400, Threatening Elimination Status
Source Summary
Wisconsin and Pennsylvania reported two additional measles-related deaths on Friday, bringing the U.S. case count to more than 5,400. The outbreak threatens to cost the United States its measles elimination status, which the country has maintained for decades.
Why it matters
Loss of measles elimination status would signal a major public-health setback and indicate the disease is spreading unchecked in the U.S. population.
