The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has issued a stark epidemiological alert in response to a dramatic surge in measles cases sweeping across the Americas, with Mexico reporting the highest numbers and urgent calls for vaccination drives.
Alarming Spike in Cases
In the first three weeks of 2026, PAHO confirmed 1,031 new measles cases across seven countries, representing a staggering 43-fold increase compared to the same period last year. While no fatalities have been reported yet, the concentration is severe: Mexico leads with 740 cases, followed by the United States with 171 and Canada with 67.
Regional Outbreaks and Responses
In Mexico, the state of Jalisco has recorded the country's highest incidence rate this year, building on major outbreaks last year in Chihuahua and neighboring Texas. The Mexican government has been actively urging the public to receive the two-dose vaccine, establishing mobile vaccination clinics in high-traffic hubs like airports and bus terminals.
In Mexico City, Mayor Clara Brugada launched 2,000 new vaccination modules this week, stationed outside health centers and within major subway stations to maximize reach. "Everyone under 49 years of age, please get vaccinated," Brugada emphasized, highlighting the vaccine's accessibility throughout the city.
Broader Health Concerns
This alert follows a year of sustained growth in measles cases, the highest in five years, driven by a global resurgence and what PAHO describes as "persistent immunization gaps." While adolescents and young adults account for the largest volume of cases, the highest incidence rates are affecting children under the age of one, underscoring a critical need to reinforce second-dose coverage.
Vaccination Coverage Challenges
Regional data reveals grim statistics: only 33% of countries have reached the 95% threshold for the first vaccine dose, and a mere 20% have achieved it for the second. This disparity highlights significant vulnerabilities in public health systems across the Americas.
Political and Event Context
The alert comes after Canada lost its measles-free status in November, a setback that the United States and Mexico could soon mirror. Both governments have requested a two-month extension to contain their outbreaks, but the situation is complicated by the Trump administration's January withdrawal from the World Health Organization, PAHO's parent agency.
With the upward trend persisting and only months remaining before the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off across the three North American host nations, the timing adds pressure to address this public health crisis swiftly.
