The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is calling on countries across the Americas to urgently strengthen vaccination efforts, improve disease surveillance, and accelerate outbreak response amid a sharp rise in measles cases.
As of September 12, ten countries in the region have reported 11,313 cases and 23 deaths, a 31-fold increase compared to the same period in 2024, according to PAHO’s latest epidemiological update.
“Measles is a preventable disease thanks to vaccination, but low coverage in vulnerable communities is fueling these outbreaks,” said Dr. Daniel Salas, Executive Manager of PAHO’s Special Programme on Comprehensive Immunization. “Strengthening immunization—knowing that the measles vaccine is safe and highly effective—is essential to protect millions across the Americas.”
The majority of cases have been reported in Canada (4,849 cases, 1 death), Mexico (4,553 cases, 19 deaths), and the United States (1,454 cases, 3 deaths), which together account for 96% of the regional total. Additional cases have been confirmed in Bolivia (320), Brazil (28), Argentina (35), Belize (34), Paraguay (35), Peru (4), and Costa Rica (1). Children under one year old are the most affected group, with over 71% of all confirmed cases occurring among people who were unvaccinated.
PAHO reports that most outbreaks were linked to imported cases, underscoring the need for stronger border surveillance and community-level immunization. Although regional measles vaccine coverage improved slightly in 2024—reaching 89% for the first dose and 79% for the second—only a small fraction of countries met the 95% coverage required to prevent outbreaks.
The organization recommends immediate action, including nationwide campaigns to vaccinate at least 95% of the population with two doses, rapid immunization of contacts of confirmed cases, intensified vaccination in outbreak zones, and the vaccination of travelers to affected areas.
Globally, the World Health Organization has reported 164,582 confirmed measles cases in 173 countries as of September 9, with the Eastern Mediterranean, Africa, and Europe recording the highest burdens.
PAHO warns that without swift action to close immunization gaps, the Americas risk reversing decades of progress in eliminating measles.
