Ongoing measles outbreaks across several regions of the United States are raising fresh doubts about whether the country can still claim it has eliminated the virus. Yet during a federal briefing on Tuesday, a senior CDC official suggested that even if that status were lost, it would not be a major cause for alarm — reinforcing the view that CDC official says measles elimination status is “not really” a concern.
The briefing marked the first federal update on South Carolina’s rapidly growing outbreak, which has already reached at least 646 confirmed cases, according to the state health department. Last year, West Texas recorded about 760 cases, making it one of the largest and deadliest measles outbreaks in decades.
Dr. Ralph Abraham, the CDC’s principal deputy director who joined the agency earlier this month, said there is no clear evidence that the outbreaks across states are linked. He also played down the consequences of losing the nation’s elimination designation.
“Losing elimination status does not mean measles will suddenly become widespread,” Abraham said. “It would not change our core strategies.” He emphasized that vaccination remains the most effective protection, while also stressing the importance of personal choice.
The United States logged 2,242 measles cases in 2025 — the highest number since 1991 — according to CDC data. The virus had been declared eliminated nationally in 2000, but the Pan American Health Organization is expected to reconsider that status when it meets in April.
When asked whether losing the designation would represent a serious setback, Abraham replied simply, “Not really.”
“It’s the cost of doing business with open borders and communities that choose not to vaccinate,” he said, adding that the CDC’s role is to assist those groups and limit the impact of outbreaks. “We’re here to listen and help, even when people want alternatives.”
Data show that vaccine refusal remains the main driver of spread. Ninety-three percent of cases last year — and 95% so far in 2026 — occurred in people who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown.
South Carolina Outbreak Accelerates
South Carolina’s outbreak, concentrated in the upstate region, is on pace to surpass last year’s crisis in West Texas. More than 500 residents are currently under quarantine after being exposed without immunity, and health officials expect that number to climb.
Unvaccinated students have been quarantined in more than a dozen schools, spanning elementary to high school levels. Exposures have also been confirmed at Clemson University and Anderson University.
Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, former head of the CDC’s immunization division, warned that the outbreak is expanding at an alarming rate.
“This is in a very aggressive growth phase,” he said. “We are nowhere near controlling this.”
Nearly 90% of cases in South Carolina have occurred in children, and almost all were unvaccinated. Only about 2% involved people known to have received the full two-dose MMR series.
Leaders Warn of Dangerous Misinformation
Daskalakis, Hawaii Governor Josh Green, and South Carolina physician Dr. Annie Andrews pointed to declining trust in vaccines as a central cause, blaming federal leadership for undermining public confidence.
“What we’re seeing is public health malpractice,” Green said. “This was completely preventable. Undermining vaccine confidence puts children’s lives at risk.”
The warning comes as vaccination coverage continues to fall. A record share of U.S. kindergarteners received exemptions from required vaccines last school year, and MMR coverage has now stayed below the federal target of 95% for five consecutive years.
“The tragedy is that this is being encouraged by public health leaders,” Green added. “And the consequences will be deadly.”
As outbreaks spread and vaccination rates slide, the nation’s long-standing measles progress is under pressure — even as officials insist that, for now, CDC official says measles elimination status is “not really” a concern.
