Surge in Measles Cases Prompts Mexico to Issue Travel Advisory for the US

Amid an alarming rise in measles cases, Mexico has issued a travel advisory for individuals heading to the United States and Canada. The outbreak has seen a significant increase in confirmed cases, particularly in the border state of Chihuahua, where health officials have reported a total of 713 cases as of April 27, 2025.

In a recent report by Mexico's Ministry of Health, 583 confirmed measles cases were recorded in the country this year, with the majority occurring in Chihuahua. This is a stark contrast to the previous year, where only 7 cases were documented throughout Mexico, according to the Pan American Health Organization.

The surge in cases in Mexico is closely linked to a larger outbreak in Texas, which borders Chihuahua. The United States has reported 884 confirmed measles cases so far this year, a significant increase from 285 cases in 2024, which has resulted in three fatalities. Texas alone accounts for 646 of these cases.

In response to this public health crisis, the Mexican Ministry of Health has advised travelers to ensure they are vaccinated against measles, practice social distancing, wear masks, and maintain good hygiene practices. The decline in vaccination rates has played a crucial role in the resurgence of measles cases, both in the United States and Mexico. In fact, 98 percent of this year's measles cases in the U.S. involved individuals who were unvaccinated.

Vaccination levels in Mexico have also dwindled, with only 76 percent of children under two years old receiving the necessary measles vaccine doses in 2023, according to the World Health Organization. Experts warn that if vaccination rates do not improve, there is a risk of measles becoming endemic in North America once again. A study by Stanford University epidemiologists predicts that current vaccination trends could lead to the re-establishment of measles in the U.S. within the next two decades, potentially resulting in 2,500 deaths over the next 25 years.

To combat this serious decline in vaccination coverage, the Mexican Ministry of Health has launched a National Vaccination Week, the first nationwide immunization initiative since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Running from April 26 to May 3, 2025, the campaign aims to vaccinate 1.8 million children aged 1 to 9 years against measles. Vaccines will be available free of charge at hospitals, clinics, schools, and health centers.

In addition to measles vaccinations, the campaign will also target other immunizations, including the DPT vaccine (diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus) for children over four years old, as well as a pneumococcal booster for those aged 12 months. The initiative also encourages adolescents, adults over 60, and pregnant women to receive any specific vaccines they may require.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease that primarily affects children. It spreads through contact with infected respiratory secretions and can lead to severe complications, including blindness, encephalitis, diarrhea, dehydration, ear infections, and pneumonia. In severe cases, it can be fatal.