US loses measles-free status after rise in cases, report says

The United States has been classified as measles-free since 2000, following extensive vaccination campaigns and programs. But sources who spoke to the newspaper say the organization has now changed the country's status.

In recent years, the number of people infected with measles has increased in the United States. In October, the country’s public health agency, the CDC, said that more than twice as many cases had been confirmed so far this year as last year.

Ninety-six percent of those infected were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status.

To regain measles-free status, the United States must stop the spread of the highly contagious disease completely for a year, which will require a lot of work.