The state of Jalisco in Mexico has implemented a health alert and made it mandatory for face masks to be worn in schools due to a recent measles outbreak in the state capital, which is a significant host city for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. This action follows an epidemiological alert issued earlier this week by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) regarding the spread of measles in the Americas, particularly in Mexico. The country has reported 1,981 confirmed cases and over 5,200 suspected cases this year.
Jalisco is currently at the center of the measles outbreak, with 1,163 confirmed cases and 2,092 suspected cases, as reported by the Mexican government. The outbreak initially began in the state of Chihuahua last year when a Mennonite child contracted the disease while visiting relatives in a region of Texas experiencing an outbreak. The spread escalated within Mennonite communities, known for high vaccine hesitancy rates, leading to the largest outbreak in Mexico in decades.
Experts warn of potential outbreaks during the World Cup as vaccination rates decline across the hemisphere. Mauricio Rodriguez, a microbiology professor at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, highlighted the surge in measles cases in Mexico due to incomplete immunization in many communities. The influx of international visitors during the World Cup poses a risk of introducing new outbreaks from other regions, including the United States and Canada, which have also experienced a rise in measles cases.
In response to the situation, health authorities in Jalisco have announced the enforcement of mask-wearing in schools across specific neighborhoods in Guadalajara for the next month. This proactive measure comes as medical groups urge immediate action to combat the outbreak, marking the first public health mandate in Mexico since the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, classes have been suspended in 15 schools in Jalisco and Aguascalientes due to outbreaks of the highly contagious virus.
Efforts to control the infection include vaccination campaigns, with students and teachers in Guadalajara lining up at local government vaccination centers. Angel Ivan Soto Mendez, a concerned parent, emphasized the importance of vaccination to prevent widespread infections. Both the U.S. and Mexico face the risk of losing their measles-free status, prompting intensified efforts to contain the outbreak. The Mexican government has been actively promoting measles vaccination and has set up vaccination sites in key locations like airports and bus stations.
The situation remains critical, with a significant increase in measles cases reported in the Americas this year compared to the same period last year, according to PAHO. It is crucial for the population to prioritize vaccination against measles, a preventable disease with a two-dose vaccine regimen.