PAHO calls for regional action as the Americas lose measles elimination status
THE PAN AMERICAN Health Organization (PAHO) says the Region of the Americas has lost its verification as free from endemic measles transmission.
The decision follows the conclusion of the PAHO Measles, Rubella, and Congenital Rubella Syndrome Elimination Regional Monitoring and Re-Verification Commission, which met in Mexico City in early November, 2025 to review the epidemiological situation across the region. The Director of PAHO, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, received and agreed with the Commission’s report indicating that endemic transmission of measles has been re-established in Canada, where the virus has circulated for at least 12 months.
As a result, the Americas, which was the first region in the world to eliminate measles twice, has now lost its measles-free status. All other countries continue to maintain their measles elimination status, PAHO states in its monthly news update for November.
“This loss represents a setback—but it is also reversible,” said Dr. Barbosa, “Until measles is eliminated worldwide, our Region will continue to face the risk of reintroduction and spread of the virus among unvaccinated or under-vaccinated populations. However, as we have demonstrated before, with political commitment, regional cooperation, and sustained vaccination, the Region can once again interrupt transmission and reclaim this collective achievement As of November, 7, 2025, 12,596 confirmed measles cases have been reported across ten countries (approximately 95% of the Region’s cases in Canada, Mexico and the US), a 30fold increase compared to 2024. Twenty-eight deaths have been recorded: 23 in Mexico, 3 in the United States, and 2 in Canada.
Active outbreaks are ongoing in Canada, Mexico, the United States, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Belize, mostly triggered by imported cases. Transmission has primarily affected under-vaccinated communities, with 89% of cases occurring in unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status. Children under one year of age are the most affected, followed by those aged one to four years.
Canada’s measles outbreak began in October, 2024 in the province of New Brunswick and has since spread nationwide, with more than 5,000 confirmed cases reported nationwide. Although declining, transmission persists in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.
Measles is highly contagious. A single infected person can transmit it to up to 18 others. Severe complications can include pneumonia, encephalitis, blindness, and death. Outbreaks also disrupt daily life and place additional pressure on health systems, the hemispheric body states.
Vaccination remains the most effective means of protection. Over the past 25 years, the measles vaccine has prevented more than six million deaths across the Americas —and an estimated 15 million deaths over the last 50 years. Nevertheless, PAHO states that in 2024, regional coverage for the second dose of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR2) averaged 79%— well below the 95% needed to prevent outbreaks. In addition, only 31% of countries reached 95% or more coverage for the first dose, and just 20% achieved that level for the second dose.
PAHO says it continues to provide technical support to countries to strengthen surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, outbreak response, and vaccination campaigns. Experts have been deployed to Mexico, Argentina, and Bolivia, and the organization is monitoring risks in Belize, Brazil and Paraguay.
Dr. Barbosa emphasized: “Every case we prevent, every outbreak we stop saves lives, protects families, and makes communities healthier. Today, rather than lamenting the loss of a regional status, we call on all countries to redouble their efforts to strengthen vaccination rates, surveillance, and timely response to suspected cases—reaching every corner of the Americas. As a Region, we have eliminated measles twice. We can do it a third time.”
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