Mexico faces a complex epidemiological scenario with a measles outbreak that has already been confirmed in the 32 states of the country, which represents an unprecedented expansion in recent years. The federal Ministry of Health has reported that, as of January 19, 2026, there have been more than 7,168 cumulative cases and 24 deaths associated with this viral disease, according to data from the Daily Measles Outbreak Report of the General Directorate of Epidemiology.

Before the outbreak, which originated in February 2025, the American region was the only one in the world to achieve measles-free status, a certificate that the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has withdrawn.

At a press conference this Tuesday, the Secretary of Health, David Kershenobich, reported that this organization has given Mexico a period of two months to contain the outbreak before the review of the international health status, scheduled for a virtual evaluation meeting on April 13, 2026. “Canada has already lost its measles-free status; the United States requested a two-month extension and we have also signed up precisely for those two months to try to control the outbreak,” the official said.

From the outbreak in Chihuahua to cases throughout Mexico

The first cases of measles were identified in February of last year in Chihuahua – mainly linked to lack of vaccination – and since then it has been gaining ground throughout the country. Throughout 2025 and until the beginning of 2026, the virus has spread to 252 municipalities within the 32 states, according to the most recent report from the authorities.

One of the most shocking figures is the geographical distribution of infections. Although all states have reported at least one case, there are great regional inequalities: Chihuahua concentrates the vast majority of cases, with 4,495 confirmed infections since the beginning of the outbreak, followed at a considerable distance by Jalisco (1,020 cases) and Chiapas (430). Other entities with relevant figures include Michoacán (261) and Guerrero (248). The outbreak has also affected regions that until recently had few or no cases. For example, Puebla and Veracruz had reported a single case each, Tlaxcala, Yucatán and Nuevo León had two each.

Although the cumulative number of cases exceeds 7,000, authorities have indicated that only around 5% of those cases are currently active, which would imply a decrease in transmission thanks to vaccination campaigns and other health interventions.

Measles vaccination

In his message this morning, Kershenobich detailed that the country has 23,529,000 vaccines to prevent measles. The main tool to confront the outbreak, he explained, has been intensive vaccination, with actions focused on achieving coverage of more than 95% of the target population and thus stopping viral transmission. He also said that more than 11 million doses have been administered against measles since the beginning of the outbreak and Mexico has “a sufficient number of vaccines for the next two years to continue advancing in the vaccination of the entire population.”