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Measles Rise Across US: Dozens of States Report Alarming Outbreaks • FRANCE 24 English

The video highlights a sharp resurgence of measles across the United States, with South Carolina experiencing the nation’s most severe outbreak in 35 years. Nearly 1,000 confirmed cases have been reported, and infants too young for vaccination are bearing the brunt of severe complications. Data points underscore a broader trend: 17 separate measles clusters have emerged this year, compared with 48 the previous year, while religious exemption applications for school‑entry vaccines have more than doubled since 2020. Daycare mandates remain in place, yet loopholes are expanding the pool of susceptible children. Helen Kaiser, a South Carolina mother, stresses personal responsibility, saying she would not forgive herself if her vaccinated children transmitted disease to unvaccinated infants. Public‑health officials describe the state as a “canary in a coal mine,” warning that declining vaccination rates could seed further outbreaks nationwide. Meanwhile, groups linked to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. are lobbying to roll back vaccine mandates in over 20 states. The situation signals a potential reversal of decades‑long progress against measles, raising urgent questions about exemption policies, community immunity, and the political battle over vaccine requirements. Stakeholders from health agencies to school boards must weigh immediate containment measures against longer‑term legislative strategies to safeguard public health.