Mexico Battles Largest Measles Outbreak in Decades as Vaccination Teams Mobilize

CIUDAD JUÁREZ, Mexico — Health authorities across Mexico are racing against time to curb the nation’s most severe measles outbreak in decades, with vaccination teams deployed in border states and urban centers to immunize vulnerable populations. The outbreak, which has reported 922 confirmed cases across 32 municipalities as of May 6, 2025, has sparked urgent efforts to boost vaccination coverage, particularly in under-vaccinated communities, as the highly contagious virus threatens to spread further.

The epicenter of the outbreak lies in Chihuahua, a northern border state, where 713 cases have been recorded, many linked to unvaccinated individuals in Mennonite communities. According to Mexico’s Ministry of Health, 92.4% of cases from January 1 to April 16, 2025, involved unvaccinated individuals, underscoring the critical role of vaccine hesitancy in fueling the epidemic. One death has been reported in Mexico, alongside three in the United States, where the outbreak is genetically linked to cases in Texas and New Mexico.

In response, Mexican health officials have launched a massive vaccination campaign, administering measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccines at health centers, shopping malls, and parks. In Ciudad Juárez, health workers are stamping vaccination cards and preparing doses in high-traffic areas to maximize outreach. “The vaccines are free — no questions asked, no matter which side of the border you live on,” said Dr. Hector Ocaranza, a public health official in El Paso, Texas, who collaborates with Chihuahua authorities.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has emphasized the need for a 95% vaccination rate to prevent measles outbreaks, a threshold Mexico and other North American countries have struggled to maintain. Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, PAHO’s director, noted that the region’s interconnected outbreaks — with over 2,500 cases across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico — highlight the urgency of coordinated efforts. In Chihuahua, the first case was traced to an 8-year-old Mennonite child who contracted the virus while visiting family in Texas, illustrating the cross-border nature of the crisis.

Mexico’s Ministry of Health has also issued a U.S. travel advisory, urging travelers to ensure they are fully vaccinated, practice social distancing, and wear masks. The advisory comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) classifies the northern Americas as at “high” risk for measles, compared to a “moderate” global risk.

Public health experts attribute the outbreak’s severity to declining vaccination rates, exacerbated by misinformation. Dr. Paul Offit, a pediatrician specializing in infectious diseases, has pointed to anti-vaccine rhetoric as a key driver, particularly in communities with low immunization coverage. Mennonite groups in Chihuahua and Ontario, Canada, have been disproportionately affected due to historical vaccine hesitancy.

Despite the challenges, health authorities remain optimistic about containing the outbreak through aggressive vaccination drives. The MMR vaccine, which is 97% effective with two doses, is being prioritized for children aged 12 months to 6 years, with early doses recommended for infants as young as 6 months traveling internationally.

As vaccination teams work tirelessly, the outbreak serves as a stark reminder of the importance of immunization. “Measles is back, and it’s a wake-up call,” said WHO’s Hans Kluge. “Without high vaccination rates, there is no health security.” With cases stabilizing but still high, Mexico’s fight against measles is far from over, but the nation’s health workers are determined to turn the tide.

Sources: Associated Press, WIRED, Democracy Now!, CNET, PBS News, Al Jazeera, Reuters, CDC, WHO

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