UN agency warns of ‘sharp increase’ in measles cases in the Americas | Health News
A concerning rise in measles cases is being observed across the Americas, prompting a new alert from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The organization, a United Nations agency, issued an epidemiological alert on Wednesday calling for strengthened surveillance and vaccination efforts to combat the spread of this highly contagious disease.
The Growing Measles Threat
PAHO documented 1,031 measles cases in the Americas during the first three weeks of 2026 alone. Throughout 2025, a total of 14,891 confirmed cases were reported. This sharp increase, according to PAHO, “is a warning sign that requires immediate and coordinated action by Member States.”
What is Measles?
Measles is an airborne virus known for its high contagiousness, capable of infecting nine out of every ten unvaccinated individuals exposed to it. While symptoms typically resolve within weeks, the disease can lead to serious, even fatal, complications, particularly in young children.
Potential complications include ear infections, lung inflammation, pneumonia, and encephalitis – a dangerous swelling of the brain that can cause lasting damage, including seizures and memory loss. The only proven method of preventing measles and halting its spread is vaccination, often administered through the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, and rubella).
Vaccination and Current Challenges
Health professionals generally recommend the first MMR dose before 15 months of age, with a second dose before age six. The MMR vaccine is widely considered safe. However, vaccination rates have declined in some areas, including the US, influenced by misinformation and unsubstantiated claims.
For example, the US Health and Human Services Secretary has asserted that the vaccine’s protection “wanes very quickly,” a claim contradicted by experts at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), who maintain the vaccine offers lifelong protection. The Infectious Diseases Society of America states, “There have been no deaths shown to be related to the MMR vaccine in healthy people.”
Regional Impact and Future Outlook
North America is currently experiencing some of the largest outbreaks. The US has reported 171 new cases in the first three weeks of 2026, following 2,242 cases in 2025. Outbreaks are ongoing in states like South Carolina, where 876 cases have been reported, with 800 sufferers unvaccinated, and Texas, where 762 cases were recorded between January and August, resulting in two deaths and 99 hospitalizations.
Mexico has also seen a significant increase, with 6,428 cases in 2025 – the highest number in the Americas – and 740 more cases in the first three weeks of 2026. Canada has already lost its measles elimination status, having experienced outbreaks since October 2024, with 5,436 cases reported in 2025 and 67 in the first three weeks of 2026.
PAHO is scheduled to review the measles elimination status of the US and Mexico during a virtual meeting on April 13. If transmission isn’t halted for over a year, both countries could lose their elimination status.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the symptoms of measles?
Measles is a highly contagious airborne virus capable of infecting nine out of every 10 people exposed to it, if they are unvaccinated. In most cases, symptoms of the disease clear up within several weeks.
What is the MMR vaccine?
The MMR vaccine is a combination vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella. Doctors typically advise patients to get vaccinated early, with the first dose before 15 months of age and a second dose before age six.
What happened in Canada?
Canada already saw its measles elimination status rescinded in November, after several outbreaks since October 2024.
As vaccination rates fluctuate and outbreaks persist, the Americas face a potential rollback of decades of progress in measles control. Continued vigilance and a renewed commitment to vaccination are crucial to protecting public health.