The state of Jalisco in Mexico has enacted a health alert requiring the use of face masks in schools following a measles outbreak in the state capital, which is a significant host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This action follows an epidemiological alert from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) due to the spread of measles in the Americas, particularly in Mexico. Mexico has reported 1,981 confirmed cases and over 5,200 suspected cases this year, 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 fell ill during a visit to a region in Texas experiencing an outbreak. The outbreak escalated within Mennonite communities, known for vaccine hesitancy, spreading across Mexico, marking the country’s largest outbreak in decades.
Experts warn that declining vaccination rates are fueling outbreaks across the region. Mauricio Rodriguez, a microbiology professor at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, highlighted the surge in cases in Mexico due to incomplete immunization schedules against measles in many communities, posing a heightened risk as the region prepares to host the FIFA World Cup.
Guadalajara, a key World Cup venue in Mexico, faces a significant risk of introducing and spreading outbreaks from visitors outside Mexico during the event. In response, Jalisco health authorities have mandated the use of masks in schools in specific neighborhoods for the next 30 days to control the outbreak.
Jalisco’s proactive measures mark the first public health mandate in Mexico since the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent school closures in Jalisco and Aguascalientes due to measles outbreaks underscore the urgency of the situation. Efforts to control the infection include vaccination campaigns and heightened awareness among the population.
The United States, Canada, and Mexico, all experiencing rising measles cases, are at risk of losing their measles-free status. Governments are striving to contain the outbreak, with Mexico urging vaccination and establishing vaccination sites in key locations. PAHO reported a significant increase in measles cases in the Americas this year, emphasizing the importance of vaccination to prevent further outbreaks.