PAHO urges enhanced measles measures ahead of World Cup

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has called on health authorities across the Americas to bolster surveillance and response efforts against measles, particularly in anticipation of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The organization issued an alert on May 29, advising countries to assess their measles and rubella surveillance systems and vaccination rates to pinpoint vulnerable regions and enact preventative strategies.

PAHO specifically highlighted the upcoming World Cup and other large gatherings as potential drivers for increased transmission. The alert recommends that individuals aged six months and older, who lack proof of two vaccine doses or immunity, receive a measles and rubella vaccine at least two weeks before traveling. Countries are also urged to provide clear information on disease symptoms, such as fever, rash, cough, and conjunctivitis, to travelers.

The organization reported a stark rise in measles cases in the Americas for 2026. Between January 1 and May 13, 2026, the region confirmed 20,521 cases and 25 deaths. This figure represents a fourfold increase compared to the same period in 2025 and already surpasses the total cases reported throughout all of 2025. In the United States alone, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recorded 1,983 measles cases as of May 28, 2026.