Measles Alert Issued for the Americas

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an epidemiological alert due to the recent identification of clusters and cases of measles in the Region of the Americas.

The PAHO alert published in late October 2024 reported more than 14,000 suspected cases of measles have been registered, mainly in the United States (267 cases), Canada (82), and Argentina (11).

Most of these cases are imported or related to importation.

Fifty-seven percent of confirmed measles cases were unvaccinated, and 28% had an unknown vaccination status, highlighting the urgent need to address gaps in vaccination coverage. In 2023, the regional coverage for the first dose of the MMR vaccine was 87% and 76% for the second dose, below the ideal threshold of 95% recommended to prevent outbreaks.

In response, PAHO urges Member States to implement active search strategies to detect cases, carry out complementary vaccination activities to close existing immunity gaps and strengthen communication with communities to promote vaccine acceptance.

The PAHO advises visitors to outbreak areas to get vaccinated before traveling.

On October 18, 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention republished a global Watch-Level 1, Practice Usual Precautions, Travel Health Notice, identifying measles outbreaks in 56 countries. The CDC recommends speaking with a vaccine expert one month before visiting these countries.