Child dies of measles in New York, first fatality in 30 years

While officials declared measles “eliminated” in 2000 due to vaccination efforts, vaccination rates have been declining in the United States.

Measles is a serious and contagious disease characterized by fever, respiratory problems, and skin rashes. It can lead to pneumonia and brain inflammation, and a single infected person can spread the virus to 15-20 others. To effectively stop the spread of measles, 95% of the population needs to be vaccinated with two doses, according to international recommendations.

Vaccination rates in the U.S. were at 95% a few years ago, but have since dropped to 92% in 2026. Over 4,500 cases of measles have been recorded since the beginning of 2026, and 96% of those infected were unvaccinated.

A recent study published in the scientific journal JAMA warned that measles could once again become “endemic” in the United States.

The views of current Health Minister Robert Kennedy Jr., a known anti-vaccine advocate, have contributed to the decline in vaccination rates. Kennedy Jr. has long claimed that the measles vaccine causes autism – a scientifically unfounded accusation that fuels vaccine skepticism.

While most U.S. states require vaccinations for children, exemptions are often granted based on religious, philosophical, or personal beliefs.

Measles continues to circulate globally, with recent outbreaks reported in Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Guatemala. The World Health Organization reported 95,000 measles-related deaths in 2026. In France, 114 cases have been recorded since the beginning of 2026, significantly fewer than the previous year. Nearly half of these cases were severe enough to require hospitalization, and over half of the patients were unvaccinated or had not received two doses. While vaccination is mandatory for children attending daycare or school in France, the disease can still spread due to unvaccinated foreign visitors or children whose parents have circumvented the rules. Even vaccinated individuals can contract measles, although symptoms are typically milder.