Saturday, March 29, 2025
Experts warn that North America is living in a “post-herd-immunity world” as measles cases rise. Low vaccination rates in communities across the US, Mexico, and Canada have triggered these outbreaks, raising concerns about the resurgence of this highly contagious virus.
The US faces its largest measles outbreak in 25 years. Centered in west Texas, the outbreak has caused fatalities, including two unvaccinated children and one adult. The virus has spread to neighboring states, such as New Mexico and Oklahoma.
Dr. Paul Offit, an immunologist, warned that measles’ return signals the loss of herd immunity. “Measles is the most contagious of vaccine-preventable diseases. It’s the first to return when immunity fades,” he said.
The CDC reports 935 confirmed measles cases in the US as of May 1. Nearly one-third of these cases involve children under five, and 285 have been hospitalized. Mexico, Canada, and the US account for most of the 2,300 cases in the Americas.
The US had eliminated measles in 2000. However, if the virus circulates for 12 months, the country could lose its measles elimination status.
Europe also saw a spike in measles cases in 2024. The ECDC reported a tenfold increase compared to 2023, with Romania accounting for most of the cases. This trend mirrors the Americas’ surge in measles, which is now considered a high-risk disease.
Many measles cases in Mexico are linked to Mennonite communities. Though Mennonites don’t oppose vaccination, their resistance to assimilation and limited contact with public health authorities have led to lower vaccination rates.
Experts worry that misinformation about vaccines, especially from figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., may worsen the situation. His claims about vaccine risks undermine public trust and hinder vaccination efforts.
Kennedy recently promoted unproven treatments for measles, such as antibiotics and steroids. However, the medical community rejects these claims. The American Academy of Pediatrics stresses that the MMR vaccine is the best defense against measles, boasting a 97% effectiveness rate.
“Promoting ineffective therapies is dangerous,” the AAP stated, emphasizing that measles can lead to severe complications like brain swelling and lifelong disability.
Measles continues to kill one in every 1,000 infected children. It also weakens the immune system, increasing susceptibility to other infections. However, global vaccination efforts have saved over 93 million lives between 1974 and 2024.
If herd immunity isn’t restored, experts warn that the number of measles cases will rise, causing unnecessary suffering.
