A critical public health alert has been issued across the Americas as measles cases surge dramatically, jeopardizing the region’s hard-won elimination status. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is urgently calling for intensified vaccination efforts, highlighting significant immunization gaps as the primary driver behind this concerning resurgence. With thousands of new infections reported, and major international events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, vigilance and rapid response are paramount to prevent further widespread transmission of this highly contagious disease.
Alarming Rise: Measles Cases Skyrocket Across the Americas
The current epidemiological alert from PAHO follows a year of sustained growth in measles cases, marking the highest numbers seen in five years. In 2025 alone, the Americas confirmed a staggering 14,891 measles cases and 29 deaths across 13 countries. This represents a 32-fold increase compared to just 466 cases reported in 2024. The trend has only worsened into early 2026, with 1,031 new measles cases confirmed across seven countries in the first three weeks of the year. This represents a shocking 43-fold increase when compared to the same period in 2025.
Mexico currently leads the region with 740 confirmed cases in early 2026, followed by the United States with 171, and Canada with 67. These numbers are particularly concerning given Canada’s recent loss of its measles-free status in November. Both the U.S. and Mexican governments have requested a two-month extension to contain their respective outbreaks, facing the very real risk of mirroring Canada’s setback.
Deepening Crisis: The Role of Immunization Gaps
The primary cause of this widespread resurgence is clear: persistent immunization gaps. Data reveals that a significant 78% of recent measles cases involved unvaccinated individuals, with an additional 11% having an unknown vaccination status. Measles is preventable with two doses of the highly effective MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, which provides approximately 97% protection. Yet, millions remain vulnerable.
Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported over 552,000 suspected measles cases in 2025 across 179 countries, with nearly 250,000 confirmed. In the Americas, regional vaccination coverage for the first vaccine dose saw a slight improvement to 89% in 2024, up from 87% in 2023. Second-dose coverage also increased, reaching 79% from 76%. However, these figures fall short of the critical 95% threshold needed to achieve herd immunity and prevent outbreaks. Only 33% of countries in the region meet the 95% target for the first dose, and a mere 20% for the second. An estimated 1.5 million children in the Americas missed at least one dose of the vaccine in 2024.
While adolescents and young adults account for the largest volume of cases, the highest incidence rates are critically observed in infants under one year of age, followed by children aged 1–4 years. This disparity underscores the urgent need to complete vaccination schedules and implement targeted protective measures, especially for the most vulnerable. Factors like vaccine hesitancy, disruptions to immunization programs, and existing pockets of unvaccinated populations continue to fuel the spread of this airborne virus, which can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a room.
Regional Hotspots and Urgent Local Responses
The measles crisis is unfolding across multiple fronts, prompting varied responses from local authorities.
Mexico: At the Epicenter
Mexico has become a major concern, reporting 1,981 confirmed cases and over 5,200 suspected cases this year. The state of Jalisco, a significant host venue for the upcoming World Cup, has been particularly hard hit. It accounts for 1,163 confirmed and 2,092 suspected cases, making it the epicenter of the current outbreak. In response, Jalisco has issued a health alert and mandated face mask use in schools across seven neighborhoods of Guadalajara for 30 days—Mexico’s first such public health mandate since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The outbreak’s origin traces back to last year in the northern state of Chihuahua. It began when a child from a Mennonite community, known for higher rates of vaccine hesitancy, fell ill while visiting relatives in a Texas region experiencing its own measles outbreak. The disease subsequently surged within Mennonite communities and has since rippled across Mexico, marking the country’s largest measles outbreak in decades. The Mexican government is actively encouraging vaccination, establishing mobile vaccination clinics in high-traffic areas like airports and bus terminals. In Mexico City, Mayor Clara Brugada launched 2,000 new vaccination modules, strategically placed outside health centers and within major subway stations, urging everyone under 49 years of age to get vaccinated.
United States: Rising Concerns
The United States faces its own challenges, with significant public health attention shifting toward South Carolina due to a large and ongoing measles outbreak, reporting 875 cases since early October 2025. In Virginia, an adult recently contracted measles, marking the fifth confirmed case in the Commonwealth this year, with the previous four being young children. Health officials in Virginia have issued warnings for potential exposure sites in Herndon, Reston, and Fairfax, urging individuals to monitor for symptoms and confirm their immunization status. The highest risk remains among unvaccinated individuals and infants too young for the MMR vaccine. Officials advise infants aged 6 to 11 months to receive a vaccine dose before any international travel or visits to outbreak areas.
The World Cup Complication
The timing of this widespread measles surge is particularly challenging as Mexico, the United States, and Canada prepare to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This major international event will involve high population mobility, creating ideal conditions for rapid disease transmission. PAHO has specifically warned that such mass gatherings necessitate heightened sensitivity in surveillance systems to promptly detect measles and rubella cases, emphasizing the urgent need for protective measures to safeguard both residents and international visitors. The Trump administration’s withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO), PAHO’s parent agency, in January further complicates regional cooperation and funding for vital health initiatives.
The Path Forward: PAHO’s Recommendations and Ongoing Challenges
PAHO reiterates its call for countries to intensify epidemiological surveillance, enhance laboratory diagnosis, and implement robust vaccination campaigns to close immunity gaps. For nations currently battling active outbreaks, interrupting transmission requires swift response measures, including active case finding and supplementary immunization activities. For all countries, maintaining sensitive surveillance systems, protecting travelers through vaccination, and addressing vaccine hesitancy are crucial to prevent the re-establishment of endemic measles.
The current situation is a stark reminder that measles elimination status, once achieved, requires sustained effort and high vaccination coverage. The coming weeks are critical in determining whether the requested two-month extension for the U.S. and Mexico will be sufficient to regain control, or if more countries will lose their measles-free status, potentially reversing decades of public health progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is driving the current measles outbreak across the Americas?
The current measles outbreak across the Americas is primarily driven by significant immunization gaps, meaning many individuals are unvaccinated or under-vaccinated. Data indicates that 78% of recent cases involve unvaccinated people. Factors contributing to these gaps include vaccine hesitancy, disruptions to routine immunization programs, and existing pockets of unvaccinated populations. The region’s vaccination coverage rates are below the 95% threshold required for herd immunity, leaving populations vulnerable to this highly contagious, airborne virus.
Where are the major measles hotspots in the Americas right now?
In early 2026, Mexico is leading the region with 740 confirmed cases, with the state of Jalisco being a significant epicenter. The United States has reported 171 cases, with specific attention on an ongoing outbreak in South Carolina and recent cases in Northern Virginia. Canada also faces a significant challenge, having recently lost its measles-free status. These areas highlight the immediate need for intensified public health interventions and vaccination efforts.
What steps can individuals take to protect themselves from measles during this surge?
The most crucial step is to ensure you and your family are up-to-date on your measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine doses. Two doses provide approximately 97% protection. If you are unsure of your vaccination status, consult your healthcare provider or local health department. For infants aged 6 to 11 months, health officials recommend receiving a dose of the vaccine before traveling internationally or to areas experiencing an outbreak. Individuals who may have been exposed should monitor for symptoms for 21 days (fever, runny nose, cough, red eyes, rash) and contact a healthcare provider immediately if symptoms appear, while staying home to prevent further spread.
A Call to Action for Public Health
The surge in measles cases across the Americas represents a serious public health challenge that demands immediate and coordinated action. While the numbers are alarming, measles is a preventable disease. Reversing this trend requires a collective commitment to vaccination, strengthening surveillance systems, and ensuring rapid response to any suspected case. By prioritizing immunization and public health infrastructure, the Americas can protect its populations and restore the region’s hard-earned progress against this dangerous, yet avoidable, illness.
