GENERATING AUDIO…
The measles cases continue to increase in Mexico since the outbreak began in 2025, according to the Ministry of Health. Given this scenario, some state health authorities have recommended the use of face masks in schools and public spaces; However, medical specialists have questioned the measure.
State of Mexico, Oaxaca, Tlaxcala, Jalisco and Hidalgo are, until now, the entities that keep this in force prevention measure to reduce infections.
In it State of Mexicoit is advised wear face masks for all school staff, both indoors and in closed spaces where it is not possible to maintain a healthy distance.
For their part, Tlaxcala and Oaxaca, They included the mask among the preventive measures, as well as frequent hand washing to reduce the risk of measles infection.
In Jaliscothe Secretary of Health of Jalisco, Héctor Raúl Pérez Gómez, reported that the use of face masks in schools located in the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area and in municipalities with the highest number of active cases, such as Guadalajara, Zapopan, Tlaquepaque, Tonalá, El Salto, Tlajomulco de Zuñiga and Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos.
In addition, Pérez Gómez recommended its use in workplaces.
In the case of Hidalgo, the municipal governments of Atotonilco de Tula and Progreso de Obregón also implemented preventive measures in the face of the health contingency due to measles cases in nearby municipalities, so the Face masks will be mandatory in markets.
In the case of Atotonilco of Tulathe Municipal Government, reported that, as of this Wednesday February 11the use of face masks will be mandatory for merchants in flea markets, plazas and serving the general public. The municipal authority called for citizen collaboration by pointing out that taking care of the health of families is everyone’s task.
For its part, the Municipal Government of Obregón Progresstook similar preventive measures against infections in areas close to the demarcation.
“The population, merchants, tianguistas, market and attendees in general are informed that, due to the health contingency and the presence of measles cases in nearby municipalities, starting this week the use of face masks will be mandatory on Sundays and Mondays of tianguis in Progreso de Obregón.”
Does the mask work against measles?
Specialists like Dr. Alejandro Macías they think that the use of face masks has very little use to prevent measles infections.
In a radio interview picked up by the newspaper El Financiero, the specialist explained that the best measure against this disease is vaccination.
“If a child enters with measles “To a room full of children who are not vaccinated, two or three are going to get infected, but if you ensure that they are vaccinated, the minors do not need anything, they are not going to get infected with measles.”Macias said.
He also reiterated that the mask works to prevent COVID infectionsbut it is different in the case of measles, which is spread by air, contact and multiple mechanisms.
When is the general use of a face mask recommended, according to the IMSS?
At the national level, the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) recommends the use of face masks in the following cases:
- People with symptoms or a confirmed diagnosis of measles, when they are near other people, leave their isolation area within the home, for example, when using the bathroom or go for medical evaluation.
- Caregivers, especially if they do not have a complete vaccination or booster schedule, when they have direct contact with the sick person or their environment.
- Medical and nursing staff, during the care of suspected or confirmed cases.
- General population living in areas with a high incidence of infections, as an additional preventive measure.
The IMSS recommends using a three-layer or N95 mask, tightly fitted to the nose and mouth, without lowering it to speak, cough or sneeze, and removing it only by touching the elastics, followed by adequate hand hygiene.
According to the report of the Ministry of Health, Mexico counts two thousand 642 confirmed cases so far in 2026.
The seven states that concentrate the 85% of cases are:
- Jalisco (1,245 cases)
- Chiapas (238)
- Mexico City (120)
- Sinaloa (118)
- Colima (50)
- Tabasco (35)
- Nayarit (23)
