US measles outbreak crosses 1,000 confirmed cases: AFP tally

The United States' measles outbreak has surpassed 1,000 confirmed cases with three deaths so far, local data showed Friday, marking a stark resurgence of a vaccine-preventable disease that the nation once declared eliminated.

An AFP tally showed there have been at least 1,005 cases since the start of the year, with Texas accounting for more than 70 percent. A federal database maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has trailed state and county reporting by several days.

The surge comes as Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. continues to undermine confidence in the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine -- a highly effective shot he has falsely claimed is dangerous and contains fetal debris.