Jalisco, a Mexican state, has declared a health emergency and enforced the compulsory use of face coverings in schools following a measles outbreak in the state capital, which is a key city for the forthcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
This action comes after the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an epidemiological alert earlier this week regarding the spread of measles in the Americas, particularly in Mexico. Mexico has reported 1,981 confirmed cases and over 5,200 suspected cases, with Jalisco being the epicenter of the outbreak, reporting 1,163 confirmed cases and 2,092 suspected cases.
The measles outbreak in Mexico originated last year in Chihuahua, when a Mennonite child contracted the disease while visiting relatives in a region of Texas experiencing an outbreak. The outbreak escalated within Mennonite communities, known for vaccine hesitancy, and has since spread across Mexico, marking the country’s most significant outbreak in decades.
Experts warn of potential outbreaks during the upcoming World Cup, attributing the rise in cases to declining vaccination rates. Mauricio Rodriguez, a microbiology professor at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, highlighted that Mexico is particularly vulnerable due to incomplete immunization in many communities. With the influx of visitors expected for the World Cup from countries with rising measles cases, including the United States and Canada, the risk of further outbreaks is heightened.
To combat the situation, health authorities in Jalisco have mandated the use of masks in schools in specific neighborhoods of Guadalajara for the next 30 days. This move aims to curb the spread of the virus, as cases have led to school closures in both Jalisco and Aguascalientes recently.
Efforts to control the infection include vaccination campaigns, with students and teachers in Guadalajara lining up at local government vaccination centers. The urgency of vaccination was emphasized by Angel Ivan Soto Mendez, who stressed the importance of widespread immunization to prevent infections.
The Americas have witnessed a surge in measles cases this year, with 1,031 additional cases reported in the first three weeks alone, prompting PAHO to issue a warning. The Mexican government has been urging the public to get vaccinated against measles, stressing the importance of vaccination in preventing the disease, and has set up vaccination sites at key locations like airports and bus stations.
As countries in the region face the challenge of measles outbreaks, Mexico, the United States, and Canada are striving to contain the spread of the disease to prevent further escalation.