Final answer:
The false statement about measles is that it has been eradicated in the United States. Although it was declared eliminated in 2000, there have been outbreaks since then, primarily due to low vaccination rates and international travel.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among the statements provided regarding measles, the false statement is that the disease has been eradicated in the United States. Measles is indeed a serious disease with complications that can include pneumonia, encephalitis, and even death. Yearly, it does cause thousands of child fatalities worldwide, and it is preventable by vaccination. Although measles was declared eliminated in the US in 2000, it has seen a resurgence due to various factors such as international travel and low vaccination rates in certain communities. Recent outbreaks, including a significant one in 2015 originating in California, indicate that measles is still present in the United States.