Mexico May Also Lose Its Measles Free Status

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recently announced that the entire Region of the Americas has lost its verification of endemic measles transmission elimination due to ongoing outbreaks in several countries.

For example, in early November, Canada lost its measles elimination status.

As of November 24, 2023, Mexico's Ministry of Health reported approximately 5,300 cumulative confirmed measles cases this year, primarily in the northern region, just south of New Mexico and Texas.

This data is comparable to Canada's, indicating that Mexico may also lose its measles-free status.

Meanwhile, the United States, located between Canada and Mexico, has reported around 1,753 measles cases this year, with a few ongoing outbreaks, particularly in northern South Carolina.

The standard recommendation shared among these countries and states is that most people should be fully vaccinated with the MMR vaccine to protect themselves from the easily transmissible virus.