The Americas are experiencing their highest measles outbreak in over 20 years, highlighting urgent gaps in vaccination efforts across the region, even as US and Canada report relatively low case numbers.
Canada has recorded about half as many confirmed measles cases as the United States even though its population is only about a tenth the size, according to World Health Organization data that underscore how quickly the disease is spreading across the Americas. The figures, current as of July 18, show 47,459 confirmed cases in the region, already more than three times the total reported for all of last year. Canada has confirmed 1,107 cases, while the United States has 2,260.
The WHO says measles has caused 45 deaths in the Americas this year, with most of the fatalities in Guatemala and Mexico. In an alert, the agency warned that countries in North and South America are facing their highest number of confirmed infections in more than 20 years and need to reinforce vaccination, surveillance and rapid outbreak response.
Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that can lead to serious complications and death, despite the availability of a safe and effective vaccine. The WHO says the disease remains a major cause of death among young children worldwide, with an estimated 95,000 deaths in 2024, most of them in countries with weaker health systems and lower incomes.
The wider regional surge follows a turbulent year for measles elsewhere. WHO and UNICEF said measles cases in Europe and Central Asia fell sharply in 2025 from 2024, but outbreaks still remain a risk. In the Americas, the WHO said cases had already climbed dramatically by April this year, with infections concentrated among unvaccinated people or those whose vaccination status was unknown, a pattern the agency said shows the need for sustained immunisation and fast public-health action.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
