Global Measles Surge: Vaccination Warnings for Travelers

Public health authorities are issuing renewed vaccination warnings for international travelers as measles outbreaks intensify globally. The surge in cases is attributed to a collapse in immunity gaps caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical instability, making the highly contagious virus a significant threat to unvaccinated and under-vaccinated populations.

Measles is one of the most contagious human diseases known. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus can easily cross borders and trigger outbreaks in any community where immunization levels are low. In 2023, an estimated 10.3 million people were infected with the virus worldwide.

Global Outbreak Data and Regional Impacts

Current data indicates that measles outbreaks are occurring in every region of the world. Provisional monthly surveillance data reported to the World Health Organization as of February 2026, covering the period from August 2025 to January 2026, identifies several countries with high case numbers.

• India: 12,135 cases
• Angola: 11,941 cases
• Indonesia: 8,892 cases
• Yemen: 8,507 cases
• Pakistan: 7,527 cases
• Cameroon: 5,088 cases
• Mexico: 4,636 cases
• Sudan: 4,071 cases
• Kazakhstan: 3,826 cases
• Lao People’s Democratic Republic: 3,565 cases

Specific regional crises have also been reported, including a severe outbreak in Bangladesh where more than 100 children have died. In response, authorities in Bangladesh have launched emergency vaccination programs to curb the spread of the virus.

Risk to the United States and International Travel

Although measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, the country continues to experience cases, and outbreaks. These are primarily driven by unvaccinated international travelers bringing the virus into the country, which then spreads to at-risk U.S. Populations with low immunization levels.

The CDC notes that the U.S. Nearly lost its elimination status in 2019 when a large outbreak in New York resulted in almost 1,300 cases, with additional cases appearing in 30 other states. Following a temporary decrease in global incidence during the COVID-19 pandemic, measles activity in both the United States and globally continues to rise.

Clinical Characteristics and Complications

Measles is a respiratory illness that spreads through coughing and sneezing. The virus is highly resilient, capable of living for up to two hours in the air or on surfaces after an infected person has left the area. Infection occurs when people breathe contaminated air or touch infected surfaces and then touch their eyes, noses, or mouths.

Individuals can spread the virus starting four days before their rash begins and up to four days after. Common signs and symptoms include a high fever, a red bumpy rash, a cough, a runny nose, and red, watery eyes.

The disease can lead to severe complications at any age, including pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain), and death. More common complications include diarrhea and ear infections. Certain groups are at a higher risk for severe complications, including:

• Children under 5 years of age
• Adults over 20 years of age
• Pregnant women
• People with compromised immune systems, such as those with HIV infection or leukemia

Vaccination Recommendations

Health officials urge all international travelers to ensure they are fully vaccinated with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. Travelers are considered at risk if they have not had measles in the past or were not fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to their departure.

CDC vaccination recommendations for international travel include:

• An early dose for infants between 6 and 11 months old.
• A total of two doses, administered at least 28 days apart, for anyone 12 months old or older who lacks adequate evidence of immunity.

Travel health officials are emphasizing the need to close immunization gaps that emerged during the pandemic to prevent further cross-border spread of the virus.