The U.S. eliminated measles in 2000, but the disease is returning to its former home and has been circulating around the country. As of March 2026, it has been continuously occurring for over a year. This is due to a decrease in vaccination rates, which means outbreaks will continue to occur, needlessly hospitalizing and killing the unvaccinated. This resurgence is a serious warning about the country's ability to manage infectious disease threats. The ongoing outbreaks of measles could result in significant economic costs and significant disruption to the US health. The Pan American Health Organization was set to decide in April whether the US should lose its status as "elimesticator" due to current trends.