US Scientists Sequence 1,000 Genomes From Measles, a Disease Long Eliminated With Vaccines
Source: KFF Health News
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Katelyn Messer is among the researchers at the Broad Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts, who have sequenced 1,000 whole genomes of measles viruses that spread in the U.S. between Jan. 20, 2025, and Jan. 20, 2026. The data will help reveal whether the country has lost its measles elimination status. (Amy Maxmen/KFF Health News)
US Scientists Sequence 1,000 Genomes From Measles, a Disease Long Eliminated With Vaccines
By Amy Maxmen
Updated April 2, 2026
Originally Published April 2, 2026
This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posted online its first large tranche of advanced genetic data from measles viruses spreading last year. Scientists with knowledge of the operation expect the agency to post heaps more in weeks to come, revealing whether the U.S. has lost its hard-won measles elimination status.
The CDC withheld the data for months as a team hit hard by mass layoffs and resignations sorted through the information. But now that scientists at the agency have posted their first batch of whole measles genomes — the genetic blueprint of the viruses — the rest should “start flowing more smoothly at a more rapid cadence,” said Kristian Andersen, an evolutionary virologist at the Scripps Research Institute who isn’t involved with the CDC’s effort but is following it.
The CDC did not answer queries from KFF Health News on its timeline for publishing measles data or analyses. However, once all the data is public, researchers can run quick initial analyses that will signal whether outbreaks across the U.S. last year resulted from the continuous spread of the disease between states, rather than separate introductions from abroad. If there was continuous transmission for a year, that means the U.S. has lost its status as a country that has eliminated measles. That status, which the U.S. has held since 2000, reflects a country’s vaccination rates: Two doses of the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine prevent most infections and so stop outbreaks from growing.
More careful analyses take weeks. ... “We should see a report in April,” Andersen said, “assuming no political interference.”
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Read more: https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/measles-genome-cdc-data-elimination-status-outbreaks-rfk/
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Liz Neeley
@lizneeley.bsky.social
The question about losing status as a country that has eliminated measles has to do with the source of infections.
What we are looking for is repeated independent introductions from elsewhere vs “If there was continuous transmission for a year, that means the U.S. has lost its status”
Amy Maxmen, PhD
@amymaxmen.bsky.social
· 11h
🔔Exclusive: CDC just posted a tranche of genomic data from measles.
1,000 genomes have been sequenced, so researchers expect an answer to the elimination question within the month.
"That we're even talking about this is nuts," said @kgandersen.bsky.social
https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/measles-genome-cdc-data-elimination-status-outbreaks-rfk/
US Scientists Sequence 1,000 Genomes From Measles, a Disease Long Eliminated With Vaccines - KFF Health News
This week, the CDC began to publish long-awaited data that will reveal the extent of measles’ comeback. While applauding the science, researchers say the Trump administration has done little to contai...
kffhealthnews.org
9:04 AM · Apr 2, 2026
******
The question about losing status as a country that has eliminated measles has to do with the source of infections.
— Liz Neeley (@lizneeley.bsky.social) 2026-04-02T13:04:37.730Z
What we are looking for is repeated independent introductions from elsewhere vs “If there was continuous transmission for a year, that means the U.S. has lost its statusâ€
******
Amy Maxmen, PhD
@amymaxmen.bsky.social
🔔Exclusive: CDC just posted a tranche of genomic data from measles.
1,000 genomes have been sequenced, so researchers expect an answer to the elimination question within the month.
"That we're even talking about this is nuts," said @kgandersen.bsky.social
https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/measles-genome-cdc-data-elimination-status-outbreaks-rfk/
US Scientists Sequence 1,000 Genomes From Measles, a Disease Long Eliminated With Vaccines - KFF Health News
This week, the CDC began to publish long-awaited data that will reveal the extent of measles’ comeback. While applauding the science, researchers say the Trump administration has done little to contai...
kffhealthnews.org
8:44 AM · Apr 2, 2026
******
🔔Exclusive: CDC just posted a tranche of genomic data from measles.
— Amy Maxmen, PhD (@amymaxmen.bsky.social) 2026-04-02T12:44:01.498Z
1,000 genomes have been sequenced, so researchers expect an answer to the elimination question within the month.
"That we're even talking about this is nuts," said @kgandersen.bsky.social
kffhealthnews.org/news/article...