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The combination of rising measles transmission and increased international travel creates conditions that could accelerate the spread of the disease during large-scale events,\u00a0the UN-backed Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)\u00a0warned\u00a0in an alert.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It urged authorities to step up surveillance,\u00a0identify\u00a0the highest-risk\u00a0areas\u00a0and ensure that\u00a0travellers\u00a0have access to information and vaccination services ahead of the World Cup and other mass gatherings.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
People everywhere are gearing up for the\u00a0tournament, which\u00a0runs from\u00a011 June\u00a0to 19 July.\u00a0\u00a0For the first time\u00a0ever, the world\u2019s biggest sporting event is\u00a0being held in three countries: Canada,\u00a0Mexico\u00a0and the United States.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The World Cup takes place as\u00a0measles is on the rise globally<\/strong>, and across the Americas.\u00a0This year, more than 184,000 cases were reported in 155 countries\u00a0by\u00a013 May,\u00a0and\u00a0nearly half\u00a0were confirmed<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n The majority, 29 per cent, were in the Southeast Asia region, followed by the Eastern Mediterranean, 21 per cent, while Africa and the Americas each accounted for 19 per cent of the global toll.\u00a0<\/p>\n Across the Americas, 20,521 measles cases and 25 deaths were confirmed in 16 countries and one territory\u00a0by mid-May<\/strong>,\u00a0representing\u00a0a\u00a0fourfold increase<\/strong>\u00a0over the 5,123 cases during the same period in 2025 and already surpassing\u00a0the total caseload recorded that year.\u00a0<\/p>\n Since January,\u00a0Mexico<\/strong>\u00a0has confirmed 10,920 cases and 13 deaths, while\u00a0Guatemala<\/strong>\u00a0has reported 6,209 cases and 12 deaths.\u00a0Canada<\/strong>\u00a0has reported\u00a01,018 cases\u00a0and the\u00a0US<\/strong>\u00a01,952.\u00a0<\/p>\n Other countries\u2013among them\u00a0Bolivia, Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras,\u00a0Panama\u00a0and Uruguay<\/strong>\u2014have also reported cases linked to outbreaks or importations.\u00a0<\/p>\n Most\u00a0reported\u00a0measles\u00a0cases have occurred among\u00a0people who were unvaccinated or whose vaccination status was unknown.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Ahead of the World Cup,\u00a0PAHO recommends that\u00a0countries\u00a0advise\u00a0travellers\u00a0aged six months and older who cannot provide proof of vaccination to receive a dose of measles-rubella vaccine<\/strong>, preferably two weeks before\u00a0heading\u00a0to areas where transmission has been documented.\u00a0<\/p>\n They\u00a0should\u00a0also\u00a0be provided with information on the signs and symptoms of measles and rubella, which\u00a0include\u00a0fever, rash, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis, joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes.\u00a0<\/p>\n Those who develop symptoms should seek immediate care, wear a medical facemask, avoid close contact with others, and stay away from public places for seven days to reduce the risk of transmission.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n On returning home, they should\u00a0inform health professionals about their recent travel history.\u00a0<\/p>\n PAHO also called on countries to strengthen epidemiological surveillance in high-risk areas\u00a0such as\u00a0border regions,\u00a0airports\u00a0and\u00a0ports.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The health agency further recommends\u00a0enhancing active case-finding, ensuring rapid investigation of suspected cases,\u00a0maintaining\u00a0trained rapid response teams, and strengthening coordination for international contact tracing and outbreak response when necessary.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nRegional situation<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n
Safe\u00a0travels<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n
Healthy goals<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h2>\n