Regional health organization issues alert as measles cases surge across the Americas
MEXICO CITY — The Pan American Health Organization, PAHO, has issued a new epidemiological alert regarding a surge in measles cases across the Americas, with Mexico reporting the highest numbers. Urgent vaccination campaigns have been called for, emphasizing that 78% of recent cases involved unvaccinated individuals.
This alert comes after Canada’s loss of measles-free status in November, a situation that the United States and Mexico could soon find themselves in. Both countries have requested an extension to contain their outbreaks, but the recent withdrawal of the Trump administration from the World Health Organization adds a layer of complexity to the issue.
The data is concerning, with a significant increase in measles cases across seven countries in the first three weeks of 2026, marking a 43-fold rise compared to the same period last year.
Although no fatalities have been reported yet, the numbers are alarming: Mexico leads with 740 cases, followed by the United States with 171 and Canada with 67.
The state of Jalisco in western Mexico has seen a surge in cases this year, following last year’s major outbreaks in Chihuahua and neighboring Texas.
In response to rising cases in South Carolina, the Mexican government has been urging the public to get vaccinated, setting up mobile vaccination clinics in busy locations like airports and bus terminals. Additionally, Mayor Clara Brugada has launched new vaccination modules in the capital to increase accessibility to the vaccine.
The alert from PAHO comes after a year of increasing measles cases, driven by global resurgence and persistent immunization gaps. It is crucial to address these gaps, especially among children under the age of one, by reinforcing second-dose coverage.
Regional data shows that many countries are falling short of the vaccination threshold, highlighting the need for urgent action to prevent further outbreaks.
For more news from Latin America and the Caribbean, visit https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
