Mexico is currently experiencing a significant measles outbreak, with over 9,000 confirmed cases reported since the beginning of 2025. Health authorities are reinforcing preventative measures, emphasizing vaccination as the most effective protection and recommending the use of face masks for individuals with respiratory symptoms to help curb transmission.
Rising Cases and National Response
As of , Mexico has recorded 9,187 confirmed cases of measles. Nearly 30% of these – 2,755 cases – have been identified in 2026 alone. The outbreak has also resulted in 28 deaths since the start of 2025, with two fatalities occurring in the first six weeks of this year. The federal and state governments have been actively establishing vaccination sites to improve access for those who have not yet received the necessary doses.
Jalisco at the Epicenter
The state of Jalisco is currently the most severely affected region, accounting for 1,603 confirmed cases in 2026 – representing 58% of the national total for the year. Chiapas follows with 282 confirmed cases, while Mexico City and Sinaloa have reported 157 and 144 cases respectively. On a per capita basis, Jalisco has the highest incidence rate, with 17.85 confirmed cases per 100,000 people, followed by Colima (7.65), Chiapas (4.56), and Sinaloa (4.49).
Face Masks as a Preventative Measure
Recognizing the highly contagious nature of measles, health officials are promoting respiratory hygiene as a key strategy to limit the spread. The use of face masks is strongly recommended for individuals experiencing fever, cough, or any other respiratory symptoms, particularly in enclosed or crowded spaces. While not yet mandated nationally, some states, including Nuevo León and the State of Mexico, have implemented mandatory mask requirements in specific sectors.
According to the Secretary of Health, David Kershenobich, wearing a face mask reduces the risk of contagion by limiting the dispersion of respiratory droplets expelled during speaking, coughing, or sneezing – the primary mode of transmission for the measles virus. He emphasized that while masks alone won’t eradicate the outbreak, they are a valuable tool in reducing infection rates.
Vaccination: The Strongest Defense
Despite the utility of face masks, authorities consistently reiterate that vaccination remains the most effective means of preventing measles and its potentially serious complications. President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo highlighted that individuals who have completed the vaccination schedule – two doses – have robust protection. Even if they do contract the virus, they are likely to experience milder symptoms and have a significantly reduced risk of hospitalization.
The call to action is directed particularly towards parents and guardians to review their children’s vaccination records and seek out health centers to complete any missing doses. Strengthening immunization coverage is considered crucial to controlling the ongoing national outbreak.
Recognizing Symptoms and Potential Complications
Currently, there is no specific cure for measles; medical care focuses on managing symptoms and preventing complications. These complications can be severe and include pneumonia, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), severe ear infections, and even blindness.
Key symptoms to watch for include:
- Persistent high fever accompanied by a dry cough.
- Runny nose and red or swollen eyes.
- Koplik spots: small white dots with a bluish center inside the mouth and on the cheeks.
- An extensive skin rash, composed of flat spots that typically begins on the face and spreads throughout the body.
Health authorities strongly advise against self-medication and urge individuals to seek medical evaluation if they suspect measles infection.
Outbreak Origins and Risk Factors
The current measles outbreak in Mexico began in 2025 in the northern state of Chihuahua, initially linked to a child from a Mennonite community who had visited relatives in Texas, where an outbreak was already occurring. Cases subsequently surged within Mennonite communities, which have demonstrated higher rates of vaccine hesitancy, and then spread across the country. This highlights the importance of addressing vaccine hesitancy and ensuring equitable access to vaccination services.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has issued an epidemiological alert regarding the spread of measles across the Americas, with Mexico leading the region in confirmed cases. This underscores the broader regional challenge and the need for coordinated public health efforts.
Controlling the measles outbreak in Mexico will depend on a multi-faceted approach combining respiratory hygiene practices, responsible use of face masks, and timely adherence to vaccination schedules.
