Dr. Ralph Abraham

During a press call Tuesday, Dr. Ralph Abraham told reporters that the loss of measles elimination status would, quote, not really be significant.

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 for 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.

Maria Godoy, NPR News.

During a press call Tuesday, Dr. Ralph Abraham told reporters that the loss of measles elimination status would, quote, not really be significant.

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 for 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.

Maria Godoy, NPR News.