Measles Cases in El Salvador Reach 19, All Imported; Five New Infections in May

El Salvador has recorded a total of 19 confirmed measles cases, all of which originated from outside the country. Five new infections were reported in May, according to official data from the Ministry of Health. The latest figures indicate that four cases were identified during the week of May 4-10, and one additional case occurred between May 11-17.

Health authorities maintain that there has been no local transmission of measles within El Salvador for the past 30 years. The first cases this year were confirmed on April 9 by the Minister of Health, Francisco Alabi, who stated that most of the initial eleven imported cases had occurred in Guatemala, with one originating in Mexico.

In response to the imported cases, El Salvador launched a special measles vaccination campaign on April 10. This initiative targets children between six and eleven months old and remains ongoing. The Ministry of Health is working to prevent any potential spread within the country, relying on vaccination efforts and continued monitoring.

Globally, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reported 20,521 measles cases and 25 deaths across 16 countries and one territory in the Americas during the first 20 weeks of 2026. This represents a fourfold increase compared to the same period in 2025. Mexico and Guatemala are the most affected countries in the region, with Mexico reporting 10,920 cases and 13 deaths, and Guatemala recording 6,209 cases and 12 deaths.