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Measles is making an unwelcome comeback in the United States, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is looking to dodge any responsibility for it.
In a recent editorial for the Wall Street Journal, Ralph Abraham, the principal deputy director of the CDC, took aim at people criticizing the government’s response to measles since last year. Abraham argued that measles’ return isn’t America’s fault because other countries have had similar outbreaks lately, too. Left unsaid by Abraham, of course, is that this country’s public health is now actively being led by a man who has openly crusaded against the measles vaccine and other shots for decades, namely Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
“Framing measles as an American policy failure is inaccurate and misleading,” Abraham wrote.
Since January 2025, measles has been spreading far and wide. Last year alone saw just over 2,220 cases, the highest annual total in more than three decades. There have been cases in 45 states and other jurisdictions, with most scattered across 49 separate outbreaks. The largest outbreak last year occurred in early January along parts of Western Texas. However, it’s now been supplanted by the ongoing outbreak in South Carolina, with 847 cases and counting. Three people in the U.S. have died from measles since 2025, while hundreds have been hospitalized. And the U.S. is now on the brink of losing its official measles-free status.
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases on Earth but can be thwarted with vaccines. And it’s largely lagging vaccination rates that have allowed measles to regain a foothold in the U.S. and elsewhere—not that the federal government under RFK Jr. is eager to admit that.
https://gizmodo.com/cdc-refuses-to-take-blame-for-measles-spiraling-out-of-control-2000717230
South Carolina Measles Outbreak Becomes America’s Largest in 25 Years
https://gizmodo.com/south-carolina-measles-outbreak-becomes-americas-largest-in-25-years-2000715084
SrPootStank
Other countries are having out breaks because misinformation and gullible people are everywhere.
brightlightbarking
Have you ever tried to convince an anti-vaxx parent that vaccines are safe and necessary? They already don't trust normal people from next door when we say that. They are programmed to INSTANTLY distrust anyone who is actually educated on the subject, and to distrust and HATE people who make it their job. Anti-intellectualism kills, and it's a lot harder to innoculate against than the measels.
EggFooYung
It's not as though they can force people to get their jabs. Especially since some states either won't enforce, or actively reversed, their own vaccine mandates
veronicablood
jonalexassblast
It's a apart of doing business - R-FUCKFACE-Kjr probably.
DietCokeIsMyDrugOfChoice
Literally watched an episode of Outlander last night where a character had measles. It was set in 1768 or something like that. It was bonkers to know that we are dealing with that same bullshit in the year 2026 bc people are so goddamn stupid.
Nukls
don't export that problem
Subsound
They were hired to stop vaccines.
Not viruses.
From their brain worm boss.
hyperchondriac
He's technically right. Measles isn't an American policy failure, it's American policy.
HouseOfEvil
I can understand why the current evil government just wants to hoard wealth, but do they have to make policy changes that kills people too??
khaoselement
Look I'm not...it...I can't blame them but also have to blame them? This isn't the CDC. This is a gutted, stripped down, RFK-fed version of it.
Maverickaura
Hmm, fair. Any other nations that were measles free having a resurgence? No? Just us? Huh
DJOldguy
And wtf did we expect with the incompetence that has just railroaded the DHS? Given that RFK Jr is a murderer of children, rather than a rapist, was it ever going to be any other way?
RickO3611
Can brain dead worm boy be tried for murder for taking away the tool that worked to control this. Or is it enough that the feces eating dog is killing people as the billionaires want it. Attention world. We didn't believe that the capitalists would destroy America. With the willing assistance of the republican party and in blind just for money, they did. Vulture capitalists are DEATH as is unmonitored media. It is too late for us. They Will kill us all. Take lesson and save yourselves
akafluffy
For a country without healthcare, they sure act like they don't care about communicable diseases bankrupting families.
Donfolstar
Anti-vaxxers just need to have more Measles parties. Share blankets with each other. That sort of thing so they can build up a natural immunity to all diseases.
nowinsituation
So can someone get measles if they have been vaccinated? How many of the people getting the disease were vaccinated? I really don't get the whole issue with vaccination. People who do not vaccinate themselves and their children are idiots. But if I am vaccinated and so are my kids, why does it matter if others are not?
3nd3rwiggin
Some people cannot get vaccinated for legit reasons. They depend on the rest of us to do the right thing.
Detacheddavid
It's a case of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herd_immunity. Being vaccinated as an individual is not a silver bullet. You also need to curtail the spread in the general population.
goddammitmrn00dle
It’s rare but yes, you can get measles if you’ve had the vaccine. The vaccine offers great protection, but the best way to not get measles is to not be exposed to measles. Higher vaccination rates => less measles in the population => less chance that you’ll be exposed to/catch measles
TheVillageGrouch9000
The US is chock full of stupid.
FrankTheWallaby
No, no, they're right. RFK Jr fires anyone that tries to do thier job in the cdc, and has been pushing the anti-vax bullshit since he took office. It's really not the cdc at all, it's just him and sycophants he has in there.
HeartsAndStars
I wonder if the people who believe correlation implies causation are putting the pieces of measles coming back in full force starting on a particular date...... JK I know they won't.
MyVirginityIsGrowingBack
The entire Trump administration probably...
Darkspire
Who defunded and tied the hands of the CDC? That'd be a good place to start laying blame.
Rascael
"JUST because we have told people Vaccines are optional and to go with their gut, doesn't mean WE had anything to do with the outbreaks..."
ontarioOT
Just like they changed the DoD to Department of War, they changed it from CDC. Now it's just CD, the Center for Disease.
Daliena06
With how they've stated they outright want disease to spread so they can see how it goes among a population, they're gonna round right back to the CDC - Center for Disease Creation as these things mutate.
Onlyhereforthelaughs
It's because rich fuckers can afford to isolate, while us poors are forced to work around people and get exposed. They're culling us.
NotAllowedToArgueUnlessYouPay
While preventable and unfortunate, we should put 2000 measles cases per year in perspective before we start pulling our hair out.
errantcompass
measles r0 is 12-18. covid tops out at 3.3. you are either willingly or ignorantly not taking this as serious as you should... i assume you're an american-- good luck, you'll need it. it's all you'll have.
NotAllowedToArgueUnlessYouPay
Most people are vaccinated that is why the herd immunity has limited this extremely contagious disease to 2000 cases in a population of millions. It's a concern that needs to be addressed rationally. It doesn't need to be fodder for the Right vs. Left Jihad.
errantcompass
herd immunity has a minimum compliance requirement in the population. you would know this if you did your homework. your administration is not able to address things rationally, and you've given away your political leanings based on your sentiment.
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Axiomatic13
Well done, sir. You manhandled him.
foreverinchains
Well, yeah. The CDC isn't responsible for the rise of measles. Their messaging on the issue has been clear and consistent for decades.
People like RFK Jr and others who spread misinformation against vaccines to further their own agendas, and everyone who enables their bullshit, are to blame.
Firestar002
Absolutely this!
southflhitnrun
This! The CDC has been clear about this for decades, all based on science. People take the advice of a known idiot and non-scientist, but want to blame the idiot. Just wait until their heard about the POTUS.
ProjectDA
shockingly i got warned on reddit for harassment. my reply to the warning was i dont care and i will continue to call those spreading misinformation fucking idiots. the warning was removed. so at least theres that at least.
Anakindergarden
I just came back from watching the dr.Mike vs anti vaccers video, i... man i'm just sad. So much misinformation, and just denial? I mean, we had polio and measles, but then they were gone. How do these people explain that?
gronzilla
Even so, it's CDC who is responsible for doing their job well. Muddying things up with cognitive dissonance just makes it so nobody knows who to blame anymore. This is what the current WH *wants*. Don't give it to them. Blame the CDC for mismanaging health messaging, blame the transport department for the aviation mishaps, blame BP for agent misconduct etc. etc. Hell, blame the justice department for kow-towing to the WH if they do (they sometimes do). Blame the media (!!! big time) for the same
dontrike
And how exactly are they supposed to do their job well when everyone at the top has worm brain and want to do the opposite of good?
gronzilla
What will you do when fascism rises in your country? It's a hard question, but people with moral clarity have existed in all places and ages.
dontrike
When the CDC is made up of those types you suddenly expect the evil men that make up the whole thing to suddenly change their mind?
gronzilla
.... man, I won't count on you then
foreverinchains
When a bunch of morons in the White House strip the CDC of their ability to actually do their job, you can't really blame them for not doing their job.
Blame the people who intentionally caused the problem fully knowing what the human cost would be.
Don't let them distract you.
gronzilla
They have a responsibility. If they can't do it, they should protest. There are many forms of protest. Many are doing that. That's what holding accountable means.
foreverinchains
A lot of them have been protesting in all the ways they can, and they're all trying to do their jobs the best they can.
Again, stay focused on the actual problem, and don't let them distract you.
gronzilla
Didn't I say EXACTLY that? I've, for example, been listening to the Osterholm Report ever since 2020. I live in the Netherlands. I *know* they're doing good work. However, they're still responsible, and *have* to put up the fight. Of course I blame the thugs in the white house. Though I also blame the voters. Godspeed.