PHOTO: Close-up of measles rash with red skin lesions. A resurgence of the disease in 44 states means the U.S. could lose its elimination status. | Shutterstock Images
By REBEKAH HALL | U of A System Division of Agriculture
The United States is poised to lose its measles elimination status due to last year’s resurgence of the disease in 44 states, including Arkansas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In 2025, the CDC reported more than 2,200 confirmed cases of the highly contagious disease. Heather Wingo, extension immunization educator for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said eight of those cases occurred in Arkansas.
“Those cases were from June 2025 in Saline, Faulkner and Benton counties and were mostly from people traveling out of state to a hot spot and bringing home measles instead of souvenirs,” Wingo said. Six of the eight cases were reported in Faulkner County.
According to the CDC, the United States could mark 12 months of continuous transmission of measles after Jan. 20, 2026, which would qualify the nation to lose its measles elimination status. The loss of status is determined by the Pan American Health Organization, an agency of the United Nations. The disease was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000. A vaccine for measles first became available in 1963.
Wingo said that as of Jan. 20, the World Health Organization is looking for a link between the measles outbreak confirmed in Texas in January 2025 and cases found in other states throughout the year. If the cases are linked, that would mean the United States has experienced a year of continuous transmission.
Arkansas’ overall vaccination rate for the MMR vaccine for the 2024-2025 school year, which shows MMR vaccination coverage among kindergarteners, was 89.6 percent, significantly lower than the national rate of 92.5 percent. Wingo said the 2024-2025 school year had the lowest rate in 10 years, with the highest number of exemptions from immunization requirements.
“Examining the MMR uptake numbers over the last 10 years, Arkansas has consistently been below the national average,” Wingo said. “However, within the last three years, the disparity has been the greatest. Just within the past two weeks, there have been exposures in Memphis and Branson — very close to home. Hopefully, we can make it a little longer without having another outbreak here in Arkansas.”
Wingo said it is critical to learn about measles because “even with early diagnosis, this virus can cause permanent brain damage and even death.”
“This virus is so contagious that if you do not have an immune defense prepared, there is a 90 percent chance that you will get sick just from exposure,” Wingo said. “Additionally, this virus is very dangerous because it causes your body to forget its natural defense against all illnesses and makes it easier to get sick with other infections.”
Understanding measles
Symptoms of measles can appear seven to 14 days after contact with the virus, according to the CDC. Common symptoms include:
- A high fever, which may spike to more than 104 F
- Cough
- Runny nose
- Red and watery eyes
- Distinctive red rash
“Some people think of measles as just a rash and a fever that clears up in a few days, but measles can cause serious health complications, especially in children younger than 5 years old,” Wingo said. “Common complications are ear infections and diarrhea, but complications can also be serious, such as pneumonia and encephalitis, or brain swelling.”
In the decade before the first measles vaccine became available in 1963, nearly all children got measles by the time they were 15 years old.
“Before the measles vaccine was available in the United States, an average of 450 people died each year from the disease,” Wingo said. “Most of them were previously healthy children.
“Thanks to the success of the vaccine, we are now able to protect our children from the measles,” she said.
Wingo noted that fear or misinformation about the safety of the measles vaccine is resulting in more unvaccinated people in communities.
“Choosing not to vaccinate your children not only leaves them susceptible to measles but also exposes other children to measles,” she said. “This includes infants who are too young to be vaccinated and people who are unable to be vaccinated due to other health conditions.”
Preventing measles
“The safest way to prevent measles is to vaccinate against this virus,” Wingo said. “Not only does the vaccine prevent illness, but it can also save you money by preventing costly treatment, hospitalization and time off work.”
There are two vaccines that protect against measles, mumps and rubella: MMR and MMRV, which also contains a varicella, or chickenpox, vaccine. MMRV is licensed only for children who are 12 months through 12 years of age. Wingo said the best way to protect against measles is to get two doses of the MMR vaccine.
“The MMR vaccine introduces a small or weakened version of measles, mumps and rubella viruses, as well as chickenpox in the MMRV vaccine,” Wingo said. “This allows the immune system to fight against them safely and to recognize and remember the viruses to produce antibodies to fight off future infections.
“The second dose provides a second chance for people who may not have fully responded to the first dose, boosting the overall immunity to the virus,” she said.
Another key to preventing the spread of measles is to avoid exposing others at walk-in clinics or emergency departments.
“This is why it’s best for parents to call their physician ahead of time if they believe that their child has measles to prevent spreading the virus among others in waiting rooms,” Wingo said.
Wingo said it is important for parents to talk to their pediatricians when it is time for their child to receive recommended vaccines.
“You may want to know more about vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases,” Wingo said. “Pediatricians get a lot of questions from parents about vaccines. Many questions are sparked by misinformation found online and on social media. No question is too big or too small.”
In Arkansas, Wingo said, DTaP, polio and chickenpox vaccination rates are even lower than for measles.
For more information about when to vaccinate your child for measles and where to receive the vaccine, visit the MMR Vaccine & Measles webpage on the Cooperative Extension Service website or contact Heather Wingo at hwingo@uada.edu.
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