The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued a new epidemiological alert about measles in the region of Latin Americathe international organization called for intensifying surveillance, vaccination and rapid response activities to outbreaks to interrupt transmission and protect vulnerable sectors.
In 2025, the region reported 14 thousand 891 confirmed cases of measles, including 29 deaths in 13 countries.
PAHO issued the alert yesterday, in which it highlighted the persistence of cases and outbreaks in several countries in the region, in a context of sustained increase during 2025 compared to the last five years, a trend that continues in 2026.
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Likewise, he recommended strengthen surveillance and the active case searchincluding laboratory diagnosis, as well as implementing complementary vaccination activities to close immunity gapsand ensure a timely response to any suspicious case.
According to the daily measles report issued by the health sector, so far this year 2026they registered one thousand 902 cases and in the last 24 hours it was reported 44 contagious.
Heading to the World Cup they will ask for a vaccine
Furthermore, heading to soccer world cup, which starts on June 13, the Government of Mexico City announced that it will ask everyone traveler that comes from abroad that the measles vaccineto prevent infections from accelerating during the World Cup, reported the head of Government, Clara Brugada.
Given the rise in cases in Latin America, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) warned that 14,891 confirmed cases represent a 43 times increase compared to 23 cases reported in the same period in 2025.
The available evidence indicates that, among the confirmed cases, the 78% were not vaccinated and in 11% the vaccination history was unknown.
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PAHO issues epidemiological alert due to the persistence of #measles in the Americas
and urges to reinforce vaccination and surveillance.
Read more:https://t.co/8ziTYRwZsh pic.twitter.com/bGT6adfMs1
— OPS/OMS (@opsoms) February 4, 2026
Although the highest proportion of cases was recorded in adolescents and young adults, the highest incidence rates were observed in less than one year oldfollowed by children from 1 to 4 years and of 5 to 9 yearswhich reinforces the need to guarantee complete vaccination schedules and additional protection measures in outbreak contexts.
Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that during 2025 more than 552 thousand suspected cases of measles in 179 countries, of which nearly 45% (247,623) were confirmed, reflecting a global resurgence of the disease in a context of persistent immunization gaps.
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