From NPR.

A top official with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the loss of measles elimination status would not be significant for the U.S. The comments from the CDC’s principal deputy director come as the U.S. is experiencing measles cases at levels not seen in decades.

During a press call Tuesday, Dr. Ralph Abraham told reporters that the loss of measles elimination status would quote “not really” be significant, adding "You know, it’s just the cost of doing business with our with our borders being somewhat porous, global and international travel.”

But other public health experts disagree, saying measles elimination status — which is granted to countries that have not had ongoing chains of transmission for more than a year — was a hard-won public health victory the U.S. that it’s had since 2000. They say its loss would signal a public health infrastructure that’s failing to protect Americans from preventable disease.