The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is urging countries in the Region of the Americas to strengthen vaccination efforts, improve surveillance, and accelerate outbreak response following a rise in measles cases in 2025
As of September 12, 2025, there has been a 31-fold increase in measles cases compared to the same period in 2024, according to the latest epidemiological update from PAHO.
“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, in a press release on September 19, 2025.
“Strengthening immunization—knowing that the measles vaccine is safe and highly effective—is essential to protect millions across the Americas,” he added.
Measles is a highly contagious virus that can easily spread from an infected person to others through coughing and sneezing.
PAHO data indicate that regional transmission was initially driven by imported cases, with 71% classified as importation-related and 16% as imported cases. This highlights the urgent need to bolster both epidemiological surveillance and vaccination coverage.
To reduce measles transmission, PAHO urges countries to achieve vaccination coverage of at least 95% with two doses of a measles-containing vaccine; and to immediately vaccinate all contacts of confirmed or suspected cases up to 39 years of age, ideally within the first 72 hours; vaccinate international travelers without documented measles immunization at least 10 days before traveling to areas with active transmission.
This PAHO advice applies globally.
At the global level, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported 164,582 confirmed measles cases in 173 countries as of September 9, 2025. The most affected regions are the Eastern Mediterranean (34%), Africa (23%), and Europe (18%).
In the Americas, ten countries have reported cases in 2025, led by Canada (4,849 cases, one death) and Mexico (4,553 cases, 19 deaths).
The United States (1,454 cases, mainly in Texas), Bolivia (320), Brazil (28), Argentina (35), Belize (34), Paraguay (35), Peru (4), and Costa Rica (1) also reported measles data in 2025.
The PAHO, WHO, and U.S. CDC have confirmed that measles outbreaks can be prevented with enhanced vaccination coverage.