The region, verified as measles-free in 2024, constitutes a threat due to its continued circulation in other areas of the world, which raises the risk of transmission through travelers, and to the existence of non-immunized vulnerable population groups.

According to official figures, of the 268 confirmed cases in 2025, 69 percent were in persons over five years old.

Last year, 17,887 suspected cases of measles were reported in the region, of which 464 were confirmed, with a significant proportion of these cases in teenagers and young adults.

Notably, 63 percent of confirmed cases in 2024 had not been vaccinated, highlighting gaps in immunization coverage.

PAHO urgently calls on countries and territories in the Americas to intensify their vaccination and epidemiological surveillance efforts, as well as to strengthen their rapid response capacity to contain and control outbreaks.

The recommendations include intensifying vaccination campaigns, especially in high-risk areas, and improving surveillance to detect suspected cases of the disease in a timely manner.

PAHO recalls that the elimination of measles, rubella and congenital rubella syndrome remains a public health priority for the region.

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