Measles

Measles, a highly contagious viral disease preventable by vaccination, is experiencing a resurgence in the Americas. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has issued a warning about a 'sharp increase' in cases. This is newsworthy due to the potential loss of measles elimination status in countries like the US and Mexico, which reported thousands of cases last year. South Carolina is currently grappling with a significant outbreak, now at 185 confirmed cases, following the US charting its highest number of annual measles cases in over three decades in 2025. Compounding the issue in South Carolina is the lack of mandatory hospital reporting for measles-related admissions, potentially leading to underreporting of the disease's severity. The outbreak highlights concerns about vaccination rates and the importance of robust public health surveillance systems.