Kmush Quoted in HuffPost Article on Measles Cases Potentially Costing the US Its Elimination Status

July 19, 2025

HuffPost

Brittany Kmush

Public Health Department

Federal

U.S. Health Policy

United States

HuffPost

Brittany Kmush

The U.S. has reported more measles cases in the first half of 2025 than in any full year since 1992, threatening the nation’s measles elimination status due to ongoing domestic transmission and declining vaccination rates.

If outbreaks aren't stopped by January—one year after they began in Texas—the country could lose that status, potentially leading to travel restrictions, increased quarantine requirements, and greater public health risks.

Experts warn that regaining elimination status would be difficult, urging widespread vaccination and stronger efforts to combat misinformation and vaccine hesitancy.

“It could be more impactful than a lot of Americans think about since we have had measles elimination status for so long,” says Brittany Kmush, associate professor of public health.

“It could affect U.S. citizens’ ability to travel to specific countries if they don’t want the risk of measles getting introduced to their country. It could affect other people’s ability to come visit the U.S. Other countries might require proof of measles vaccination before they can reenter their home country,” she says.

Read more in the HuffPost article, “Measles Cases Could Cost the U.S. Its Elimination Status. Here's What That Means.”