The Americas are facing a growing public health challenge as measles cases continue to rise. Mexico has now reported over 11,200 cases of measles between 2025 and early 2026, making it the country with the highest incidence of the disease in the region. This increase highlights the importance of vaccination efforts to prevent the spread of this highly contagious illness.
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Authorities first detected a surge in infections in the northern part of the country last year, prompting the government to accelerate vaccination campaigns to curb the disease and promote preventative care.
According to February data from the Pan American Health Organization (OPS), Mexico recorded 6,428 cases of measles in 2025, representing nearly half of the 14,891 cases reported across the entire American continent, from north to south.
Mexican Secretary of Health, David Kershenobich, stated in a press conference that We find “11,266 total cases of measles between 2025 and 2026” to date. He added that this figure suggests the country’s vaccination strategy is proving effective.
“If we didn’t have the protection of vaccination, and given how highly contagious this virus is, we would have millions of Mexicans infected,” he indicated. Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus that can be severe and even fatal for young children.
Infectologist Alejandro Macías explained to AFP that vaccination rates declined in 2019 during the presidency of Andrés Manuel López Obrador (2018-2024).
“In Mexico, it was primarily a lack of vaccine purchases, which began in 2019. The government changed its purchasing system. It’s too important to note that funding for health services was substantially reduced. This affected the availability of medications and vaccines,” he explained.
His successor, President Claudia Sheinbaum, has ordered an acceleration of vaccination against the disease in several states. As of February 25, 2026, Mexican authorities report 32 deaths from the illness.
In Mexico City, authorities launched a mass vaccination campaign, while in the neighboring State of Mexico, the country’s most populous district, the local government mandated the use of face masks and established vaccination checkpoints in schools.
The OPS has determined that 78% of confirmed cases across the continent were unvaccinated, and vaccination history was unknown in 11% of cases. Officials are now hopeful that the ongoing vaccination efforts will continue to be successful.
The disease typically causes a rash with red spots, along with other symptoms such as fever, sore throat, and inflamed eyes. The illness can be complicated by pneumonia or encephalitis, among other conditions.
Health authorities recommend that children be vaccinated between 12 and 15 months of age, with a subsequent booster dose.
Colombia, the U.S., and Canada Also Report Cases: A Continental Overview
Colombia’s Ministry of Health confirmed three imported cases of measles in the country on February 27. The cases involve individuals between the ages of 28 and 35 who recently traveled abroad.
Authorities report that all three patients contracted the virus outside of Colombia. Following confirmation, epidemiological containment protocols were activated to identify and monitor individuals who may have had close contact with the cases.
Minister of Health, Guillermo Alfonso Jaramillo, announced that additional measures will be taken in response to the increasing number of measles cases in several countries in the Americas, including vaccine boosters and enhanced epidemiological surveillance to prevent further spread.
United States
Data published on February 27 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that over 1,100 cases of measles have been recorded in the U.S. So far this year.
The CDC notes that one in 1,000 children infected with measles may develop encephalitis, a dangerous inflammation of the brain, and up to three in 1,000 infected children may die. Experts at the CDC believe the U.S. Is on track for another record year for measles cases.
The number of measles cases reported in the first eight weeks of the year is 1,136, already six times higher than the average for an entire year. Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, stated that “measles is a ferocious infection and we should prevent it. It can affect any healthy, normal child in its most severe form.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed 588 cases in 17 jurisdictions through the end of January 2026. Three people died from measles last year: two children in Texas and one adult in New Mexico, all unvaccinated.
Canada and the Rest of the Continent
Canada lost its measles-elimination status in November 2025 after recording 5,436 cases that year, including two deaths, according to the OPS. At least 67 additional cases were recorded in the first three weeks of 2026, demonstrating the virus’s continued presence.
While the outbreak has spread across the country, the highest concentrations are in Alberta, Ontario, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. The two fatalities in 2025 were reportedly two premature infants, according to Swiss news agency SWI swissinfo.ch.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) emphasized that vaccination is the only effective protective measure and continues to operate to increase immunization coverage to regain elimination status.
The Pan American Health Organization (OPS) reported that in the first three weeks of 2026, they confirmed 1,031 additional cases of measles in seven countries: Bolivia (10), Canada (67), Chile (1), United States (171), Guatemala (41), Mexico (740), and Uruguay (1)—with no deaths reported.
Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that over 552,000 suspected cases of measles were reported in 179 countries during 2025, with approximately 45% (247,623) confirmed, without detailing the number of deaths.
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