The Pan American Health Organization warns of a sharp rise in measles cases across the Americas, with the region experiencing its highest infection levels in more than 20 years, prompting calls for strengthened immunisation efforts.
The Pan American Health Organization has issued an epidemiological alert over a sharp rise in measles across the Americas, saying the region is facing its highest number of infections in more than 20 years and urging countries to strengthen vaccination campaigns. According to the alert, confirmed cases have more than tripled from a year earlier, with 47,500 reported so far this year across 16 countries and 44 deaths in three countries.
The organisation said 95% of confirmed cases are concentrated in Guatemala, Mexico, the United States and Peru. Guatemala has reported the largest number of cases in the region, with 30,371 infections and 26 deaths, while Mexico follows with 12,255 cases and 17 deaths. The health agency classified the public-health risk in the Americas as “very high”.
Daniel Salas, executive manager of the PAHO immunisation programme, said the outbreak shows there is no room for complacency. He said the response is straightforward: maintain high vaccination coverage, identify suspected cases quickly and move fast to stop transmission chains. Measles spreads easily through the air or respiratory droplets and can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis, blindness or death.
The warning comes as U.S. health officials continue to report substantial domestic activity. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said measles remains highly contagious and that unvaccinated people are at risk if exposed, even though overall risk remains low for most of the United States because of high immunisation levels. The CDC said the MMR vaccine remains the best protection against measles and its complications.
CDC data also show that the outbreak has not been confined to the Americas. As of May 15, the agency listed Mexico among the ten countries with the largest measles outbreaks globally, alongside India, Yemen, Pakistan, Angola, Kazakhstan, Cameroon, Sudan, Guatemala and Bangladesh. The World Health Organization has separately reported a major outbreak in Bangladesh, underscoring how quickly the disease can spread across borders when vaccination gaps persist.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
