Measles outbreak surges in Americas with 18 deaths, PAHO warns

Anabelle Colaco
19 Aug 2025, 03:51 GMT+10

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) noted that measles cases are surging across the Americas, with North America seeing the sharpest rise and 18 deaths recorded so far this year in Mexico, the United States, and Canada
As of August 8, PAHO confirmed 10,139 measles cases across 10 countries in the region, a 34-fold increase compared to the same period in 2024
Of the 18 deaths, 14 were in Mexico, three in the United States, and one in Canada. Many of the fatalities in Mexico were among Indigenous people aged 1 to 54

WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) noted that measles cases are surging across the Americas, with North America seeing the sharpest rise and 18 deaths recorded so far this year in Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

As of August 8, PAHO confirmed 10,139 measles cases across 10 countries in the region, a 34-fold increase compared to the same period in 2024. Of the 18 deaths, 14 were in Mexico, three in the United States, and one in Canada. Many of the fatalities in Mexico were among Indigenous people aged 1 to 54.

The agency attributed the outbreaks largely to low vaccination coverage, noting that 71 percent of reported cases occurred in unvaccinated people, while another 18 percent involved individuals whose vaccination status was unknown.

"Measles is preventable with two doses of a vaccine, which is proven to be very safe and effective," said Daniel Salas, PAHO's immunization lead. "To stop these outbreaks, countries must urgently strengthen routine immunization and conduct targeted vaccination campaigns in high-risk communities."

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world and spreads quickly among unvaccinated populations, especially children. PAHO has urged governments in the region to ramp up immunization efforts to contain the spread.

In the United States, vaccination coverage has slipped. A recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study found that rates for measles, diphtheria, and polio declined among kindergartners in the 2024–2025 school year compared to the previous year.