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Covering measles in 2026: Updated data, guidance and reliable sources
Editor’s note: This article was updated on Feb. 3, 2026, to include more recent and relevant information for the 2026 measles outbreak. It’s been just over a year since a measles outbreak began in west Texas that eventually exceeded 800 cases and contributed to some of the 48 additional outbreaks in 44 states in 2025,…
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Vital context to include in your measles coverage
Since a measles outbreak first began in west Texas in mid-January, there have been 1,001 confirmed cases across 30 U.S. states as of May 8. While not all of these cases are specifically linked to the Texas outbreak, 93% of them are linked to the dozen outbreaks recorded this year. There’s reason to believe these…
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How to use ‘elimination’ and ‘eradication’ correctly in infectious disease reporting
When a new measles outbreak makes the news — such as the expanding one in West Texas — journalists usually note that vaccination enabled the elimination of the disease in the U.S. in 2000. But the term “eliminated” is often conflated or substituted with the term “eradicated” in discussing measles and other infectious diseases. It…
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Understanding RFK Jr.’s potential HHS powers and why to avoid ‘sane-washing’ him
A recent poll found that 44% of U.S. voters approve of Trump’s nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to Secretary of Health and Human Services. Yet public opinion polls show Americans continue to overwhelmingly support childhood vaccination, including 88% who agree that the benefits of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine outweigh its risks — the same vaccine…
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MMR vaccine catch-up to tackle threat of measles
A vaccination campaign aimed at curbing the growing threat of measles has been announced by the Public Health Agency (PHA). From today (6 February) first and second doses of the Mumps, Measles and Rubella (MMR) vaccine will be offered to anyone aged between 12 months and 25 years who missed getting the vaccines first time…
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