The United States is not alone in facing a dramatic measles comeback. Health authorities in Canada and other countries across the globe are reporting similar surges in infections. Canada has logged more than 5,000 cases so far this year — over three times the number in the U.S. — with the majority concentrated in the provinces of Alberta and Ontario.
Globally, the World Health Organization and UNICEF have recorded outbreaks in more than 100 countries over the past five years. Public health experts attribute the rise to declining vaccination rates, fueled by misinformation, logistical challenges, and pandemic-related disruptions to routine immunization programs.
In the United States, recent measles outbreaks have been reported in multiple states, including Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Earlier this year, hundreds were infected in West Texas and New Mexico, where three deaths were recorded — the first measles-related fatalities in the U.S. since 2015. The CDC has linked the recent increase to clusters of unvaccinated populations and communities with low immunization coverage.
South Carolina’s public health department has emphasized that vaccination remains the most effective defense. Officials are working with schools to verify immunization records and encourage families to update their children’s MMR vaccines. “The safest, fastest way to stop this outbreak is to vaccinate,” a department statement read.
As health experts warn, measles is not a disease of the past — and the current wave serves as a stark reminder of how quickly it can return when vaccination rates drop. With case numbers climbing across North America and beyond, the race is on to restore immunity and prevent another global health crisis.