ZAPOPAN, Mexico
The state of Jalisco in Mexico has declared a health alert and mandated face masks in schools following a measles outbreak affecting the state capital, which is set to host the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
This decision comes shortly after an epidemiological alert was issued by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) regarding the spread of measles across the Americas. Mexico currently leads the region with 1,981 confirmed cases this year, alongside over 5,200 suspected cases.
Jalisco has become the epicenter of this outbreak, reporting 1,163 confirmed cases and 2,092 suspected instances as per government data.
The origin of this outbreak can be traced back to last year in the northern state of Chihuahua, where a Mennonite child contracted the virus while visiting relatives in Texas. The disease quickly spread, particularly within Mennonite communities that tend to be hesitant about vaccinations, resulting in what is now recognized as the largest outbreak in decades in the country. Experts link the increasing instances of measles to declining vaccination rates.
On Thursday, health authorities in Jalisco specified that masks will be mandatory in schools located in seven neighborhoods of Guadalajara for the next 30 days.
This is the first such public health mandate in Mexico since the COVID-19 pandemic, prompted by appeals from medical groups for immediate action. Additionally, classes have been suspended in 15 schools across Jalisco and Aguascalientes due to the virus’s spread.
As Mexico gears up to welcome visitors for the World Cup, which will simultaneously occur in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the situation becomes even more pressing. Guadalajara is one of the primary venues for the tournament.
In late 2022, Canada lost its measles-free status, and both the U.S. and Mexico are now at risk of following suit. The two governments have requested an extension of two months to try and manage the outbreak, although the situation has been complicated since the Trump administration withdrew from the World Health Organization in January, which oversees PAHO.
In the first three weeks of this year alone, 1,031 new measles cases were reported across seven countries in the Americas—a number that is 43 times higher than the same time frame last year, according to a recent PAHO statement.
The Mexican government has been actively encouraging vaccinations, emphasizing the importance of two doses for measles prevention. They’re also establishing vaccination sites in several public areas, such as airports and bus stations.
