Health officials warn that measles cases in the Americas are reaching levels unseen in over two decades, highlighting gaps in immunisation coverage amid a worldwide surge in infections.
Health officials across the Americas are warning that measles is spreading at a pace not seen in years, with the World Health Organization saying confirmed infections in the region have already reached 47,459 as of July 18. That is about three times the total recorded across the Americas for all of last year and has pushed North and South America to their highest case count in more than two decades, according to the Pan American Health Organization.
Canada has recorded 1,107 cases, while the United States has reported 2,260, despite Canada having only about one-tenth of the US population. WHO data also show 45 deaths in the Americas so far this year, most of them in Guatemala and Mexico. The figures underline how quickly measles can spread when vaccination levels leave gaps, especially in communities with limited access to health care or lower immunisation coverage.
In an alert cited by Global News, PAHO said the region needs stronger vaccination, surveillance and rapid outbreak response measures. Daniel Salas, the executive manager of WHO’s Americas office, said in a news release that “Measles leaves no room for complacency. We know how to stop it: achieving high vaccination coverage, detecting suspected cases early, and responding rapidly to interrupt chains of transmission,” adding that outbreaks expose “immunity gaps” that must be addressed urgently.
The warning fits a wider global trend. WHO said in November 2024 that measles infections surged to an estimated 10.3 million worldwide in 2023, up 20% from the previous year, after more than 22 million children missed their first dose of vaccine. WHO later reported that the Americas had 2,318 confirmed cases by April 18, 2025, an elevenfold rise from the same point in 2024, with most cases among unvaccinated people or those with unknown vaccination status. Public Health Agency of Canada says the country eliminated endemic measles in 1998, but outbreaks in 2025 have largely affected unvaccinated people, reinforcing the importance of sustained vaccination coverage.
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