New research presented at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Epidemic Intelligence Service conference points to a troubling reality: measles may be spreading far more widely in the U.S. than official case counts suggest—putting the country’s elimination status at serious risk.
Here’s what’s new and noteworthy:
- “Silent spread” is likely significant. Advanced genomic sequencing of measles viruses from an outbreak spanning Arizona and Utah suggests the outbreak may be at least 6.5 times larger than reported.
- Transmission may have been ongoing for over a year. Researchers estimate the outbreak likely began weeks to months before the first confirmed case, raising the possibility that measles has been circulating continuously in the U.S.—the key threshold for losing elimination status.
- Wastewater data backs it up. Separate surveillance in Oregon detected measles virus 100 times across 23 counties, despite only six reported cases—indicating substantial underdetection.
- Cases are already surging. The U.S. has recorded more than 1,700 measles cases in the first four months of 2026, following the highest annual total in decades last year.
Faculty experts at the George Washington University are available to offer insight. To schedule an interview with an expert, please contact Katelyn Deckelbaum, katelyn [dot] deckelbaum
gwu [dot] edu (katelyn[dot]deckelbaum[at]gwu[dot]edu).
Jose Lucar is an associate professor of infectious diseases at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Maria Elena Ruiz is an associate professor of medicine and an infectious disease expert at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Elizabeth Choma is a pediatric nurse practitioner and clinical assistant professor at the GW School of Nursing.
Emily Smith, is an associate professor of global health and an expert in infectious diseases and epidemiology, at the GW Milken Institute School of Public Health.
Jennifer Walsh is a clinical assistant professor in the GW School of Nursing and primarily teaches pediatrics and health assessment.
Asefeh Faraz Covelli is an associate professor in the Family Nurse Practitioner program at the GW School of Nursing.
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