PAHO urges countries to be vigilant ahead of World Cup

WASHINGTON, CMC – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) on Tuesday said there has been a sustained increase in measles cases both globally and across the Americas as the world prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 184,489 measles cases were reported in 155 member states between January 1 and May 13 this year, of which 100,239, or 54.3 per cent, had been confirmed.

PAHO said that in the Americas, 20,521 measles cases and 25 deaths were confirmed in 16 countries and one territory between epidemiological weeks one and 20 of 2026.

“This represents a fourfold increase compared with the 5,123 cases reported during the same period in 2025 and has already surpassed the total number of cases recorded throughout all of last year.”

Mexico has confirmed 10,920 cases and 13 deaths so far in 2026, while Guatemala has reported 6,209 cases and 12 deaths.

Canada has reported 1,018 cases, while the United States has recorded 1,952.

Peru has reported 301 confirmed cases, while other countries in the region, including Bolivia, Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama and Uruguay, have also reported cases linked to outbreaks or importations.

According to PAHO, the majority of reported cases have occurred among unvaccinated individuals or people whose vaccination status was unknown.

It noted that increasing international travel and ongoing outbreaks underscore the importance of maintaining strong surveillance systems and ensuring travellers are protected against vaccine-preventable diseases before participating in large international events.

PAHO further reminded health authorities that a measles vaccination certificate is not a requirement for entry into countries under the International Health Regulations (IHR), while emphasising that vaccination remains the most effective measure to prevent transmission and protect public health.

Meanwhile, PAHO is urging health authorities to strengthen measles surveillance, vaccination, and rapid response measures amid ongoing outbreaks in the region.

PAHO recommends that countries review their performance in measles and rubella surveillance and vaccination coverage to identify areas at highest risk and implement preventive actions.

It warned that increasing measles transmission and heightened international travel create favourable conditions for the spread of the disease during large international events.

“Specifically, and in the context of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as well as other mass gathering events, countries should increase the sensitivity of their surveillance systems through the implementation of active case-finding to document the absence of measles and rubella cases and to provide information and vaccination services to travellers,” PAHO said in the latest alert.

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