International health experts are convening in Washington D.C. this week to determine whether the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, Bolivia, and other countries in the Americas still meet the criteria for measles elimination status. The review, led by the Pan American Health Organization’s (PAHO) Regional Monitoring and Re-Verification Commission (RVC), is taking place from Tuesday to Friday. The meeting comes amid a sharp resurgence of measles across the Americas, with the US experiencing its largest and deadliest outbreak in nearly three decades. The RVC, an independent panel of international experts in epidemiology, public health, and virology, will assess the countries’ status based on epidemiological data from 2025 and the first half of 2026. Canada lost its measles elimination status last November, and the US has experienced sustained outbreaks since January 2025. The commission will evaluate whether infections result from separate introductions of the virus or if the same strain has circulated locally, as well as consider vaccination coverage, healthcare systems’ monitoring of measles cases, and the speed of outbreak responses. The commission's deliberations will conclude on Friday, with the PAHO Director expected to make the final determination early next week following the conference. If the US loses its measles elimination status, it would mark a reversal of a major public-health achievement and could potentially lead to greater pressure on public-health systems.
International health experts are gathering in Washington D.C. this week to review the measles elimination status of several countries in the Americas, including the United States, Mexico, and Guatemala. The meeting is being led by the Pan American Health Organization’s (PAHO) Regional Monitoring and Re-Verification Commission (RVC), which is examining epidemiological data from 2025 and the first half of 2026 to determine if countries have maintained the elimination of measles and rubella. The US, Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, and Bolivia are at risk of losing their status, as the Americas experienced a sharp resurgence of measles in recent years, with the US experiencing its largest and deadliest outbreak in nearly 30 years. Canada lost its status last November. The RVC will evaluate whether infections result from separate introductions of the virus or if the same strain has circulated locally, as well as consider vaccination coverage, healthcare systems’ monitoring of measles cases, and the speed of outbreak responses. The commission's deliberations will conclude on Friday, with the PAHO Director expected to make the final determination early next week following the conference.
An independent panel of international health experts is meeting in Washington D.C. this week to review whether countries in the Americas, including the United States, Mexico, and Guatemala, still meet the criteria for measles elimination status. The meeting is being led by the Pan American Health Organization’s (PAHO) Regional Monitoring and Re-Verification Commission (RVC), which will assess the countries’ status based on epidemiological data from 2025 and the first half of 2026. The US, Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, and Bolivia are at risk of losing their status due to a sharp resurgence of measles across the Americas, with the US experiencing its largest and deadliest outbreak in nearly three decades. Canada lost its status last November. The RVC will evaluate whether infections result from separate introductions of the virus or if the same strain has circulated locally, as well as consider vaccination coverage, healthcare systems’ monitoring of measles cases, and the speed of outbreak responses. The commission's deliberations will conclude on Friday, with the PAHO Director expected to make the final determination early next week following the conference. If the US loses its measles elimination status, it would mark a reversal of a major public-health achievement and could potentially lead to greater pressure on public-health systems.