Americas Faces Major Rise in Measles Cases, UN Health Body Warns

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the regional arm of the United Nations health system, has issued an epidemiological alert after reporting a substantial rise in measles infections across the Americas in 2025 and early 2026. The agency said the surge requires immediate cooperation among member states to strengthen disease monitoring and vaccination campaigns.

PAHO data show that 1,031 confirmed cases emerged in the first three weeks of 2026 alone, following 14,891 reported cases throughout 2025. The bulk of infections have been in North America, notably in Mexico, the United States and Canada.

In the United States, health authorities are tracking increasing numbers of cases, including a sustained outbreak in South Carolina that has registered hundreds of infections. Most people affected in that cluster were not vaccinated, underscoring gaps in immunisation coverage.

Texas also experienced a significant outbreak last year with several hundred cases reported. Both countries now face the possibility of losing their long-held measles elimination status as defined by the regional health body.

Mexico posted the highest national toll in the region in 2025, with more than 6,400 cases. Early 2026 figures suggest the trend continues, raising concerns among public health officials.

Canada’s measles elimination status was revoked in late 2025 after prolonged transmission failed to fall below the threshold required for maintenance of that status.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that spreads through airborne droplets and close contact. It can lead to serious complications including pneumonia and encephalitis, particularly in young children. The MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine has long been recognised by health experts as safe and effective in preventing infection.

PAHO has called on governments and health authorities across the region to intensify routine surveillance, expand access to vaccination and close immunity gaps to halt further spread.

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