Latest News

PAHO: Measles outbreak in North America worsens, with 18 deaths so far this year

PAHO: Measles outbreak in North America worsens, with 18 deaths so far this year

The Pan American Health Organization reported Friday that measles deaths in Mexico, Canada, and the United States have increased, as has the number of cases.

Why it's important

According to the U.N. agency, 71% of the cases were in people who had not been vaccinated, and 18% occurred in people whose vaccination status was unknown.

By the Numbers

PAHO data showed that as of August 8, 10139 measles cases and 18 deaths related to them had been confirmed in 10 countries across the Americas. This represents a 34-fold rise compared with the same period of 2024.

Fourteen of the 18 deaths occurred in Mexico. Three in the United States, and one in Canada.

PAHO reported that the majority of deaths in Mexico were among Indigenous people aged between 1 and 54.

KEY QUOTES

"Measles can be prevented with two doses a vaccine that has been proven safe and effective. To stop these outbreaks countries must strengthen routine immunizations and conduct targeted vaccinations campaigns in high-risk areas, said Daniel Salas.

CONTEXT

PAHO states that measles is highly infectious and spreads quickly among people who are not vaccinated, particularly children.

A recent study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States (CDC) revealed that the vaccination rate for certain diseases, including measles and diphtheria, decreased from the previous year among U.S. kindergarteners. (Reporting by Benjamin Mejias Valencia; editing by Philippa Fletcher)

(source: Reuters)