The federal government is urging Mexicans who have not yet been vaccinated against measles to get vaccinated to combat an alarming outbreak of the highly contagious airborne disease.

Since the beginning of 2025, Mexico has recorded 9,187 confirmed cases of measles. Government data released on Wednesday.

Almost 30% (2,755 people) of confirmed cases were recorded in 2026, with many detected in infants and young children.

Thousands more potential measles cases are reported in 2025 and 2026.

There have been 28 measles deaths in Mexico since the beginning of 2025, of which 26 occurred last year and two in the first six weeks of 2026.

Jalisco Currently, the country is facing the most serious outbreak this year, with 1,603 confirmed cases. This number will account for 58% of the nation in 2026.

Chiapas has the second highest number of measles cases this year with 282, followed by Mexico City (157) and Sinaloa (144).

Per capita, Jalisco has the highest incidence of measles, with 17.85 confirmed cases per 100,000 people in 2026.

Colima has the second highest infection rate per 100,000 people this year, with 7.65 cases per 100,000 people, followed by Chiapas (4.56) and Sinaloa (4.49).

From the beginning of 2025, All 32 federal agencies in Mexico have recorded confirmed cases of measles.

However, so far in 2026, five states – Baja California Sur, Tamaulipas, Campeche, Zacatecas and Coahuila – have not recorded a single confirmed case, although each state has confirmed possible cases.

vaccination: “The only way to control measles”

At President Claudia Sheinbaum’s Wednesday morning press conference, Health Minister David Kaschenovic told reporters that measles is the most contagious viral disease.

He said one person infected with measles can infect up to 18 people around them.

Kaschenovic pointed out that “the only way to control measles” is vaccination.

The health minister sought to downplay the seriousness of the situation, stressing that Mexico has only had about 9,000 confirmed cases of measles out of a population of “133 million Mexicans” since the beginning of last year.

“What does that mean? It means the vaccination strategy is working, because if there was no protection from vaccination; [with measles] “With a virus that contagious, millions of Mexicans would be infected,” Kaschenovic said.

He also said that 90% of measles cases in Mexico occur in unvaccinated people.

The Minister of Health noted that the first outbreak of the current wave of measles infections occurred in February 2025. Outbreak in Texas spreads to northern border state of Chihuahua.

Thirteen cases of the virus have been confirmed in Chihuahua so far this year.

“With the administration of 1.8 million vaccine doses, we have managed to stop the measles epidemic in Chihuahua state,” Kaschenovic said.

The government aims to ‘break the chain of infection’

Vice Minister of Health Ramiro López Elizalde told reporters on Wednesday that Mexico is “ready to immediately apply” 28 million doses of measles vaccine.

“This is an additional 14.3 million vaccines we have already administered “In 2025 and 2026,” he said.

“…We have enough vaccines to protect our population,” Lopez added.

He noted that the Ministry of Health’s “priority group” for vaccination is children aged six months to 12 years, who are “the most vulnerable” to measles.

Lopez said if your child hasn’t been vaccinated against measles or has only received one dose and it’s been six months since the vaccination, they “must” get vaccinated.

“We have set up more than 21,000 health centers across the country to ensure access,” he said.

“For your family’s peace of mind, if your son or daughter has already received… two doses, he or she is protected. No booster immunization is required,” Lopez said.

The deputy health minister pointed out that “cases of measles are being detected in people who have not completed their medical examinations.” [vaccine] This is a plan from the past. ”

“That’s why we’re vaccinating unvaccinated people aged 13 to 49 in the highest-incidence areas.” [previously] It’s either get the vaccine or get the second dose,” he said.

Starting February 23, people of these ages in Jalisco, Colima, Chiapas, Sinaloa, Nayarit, Tabasco and Mexico City will be able to get vaccinated at government health centers.

“The goal is to recover. [vaccine] “By vaccinating people between the ages of 13 and 49, we will expand coverage and break the chain of transmission. This strategy will be implemented first in the states with the highest number of cases and will be continued across the country in stages,” López said.

“…we designed a platform called. dondemevacuno.salud.gob.mx There you can search by state, city, or age group. [the location of] There are more than 21,000 vaccination points,” he added.

Immunization of children will begin next Monday, February 16th at Government Centers.

Sheinbaum emphasizes that most Mexicans have been vaccinated and calls for calm

Sheinbaum stressed Wednesday that the vast majority of Mexicans, both adults and children, have been vaccinated against measles.

“It’s so important,” she said.

Sheinbaum urged people to “calm down, because if you don’t, you’re going to start thinking, ‘We’re in a terrible situation.'”

She urged parents to bring their children to receive the measles vaccination if they have not already done so.

“We have 28 million vaccines and we have a good distribution strategy,” Scheinbaum said.

He noted that some states are requiring people to use masks to prevent the spread of measles, but reiterated the importance of vaccination as the first line of defense against the disease, insisting that Mexico can purchase more vaccines if needed.

“People who have not been vaccinated, primarily girls and boys, must go to a health center to receive the vaccine,” Sheinbaum said.

Mexico could lose measles-free status ahead of FIFA World Cup

The New York Times reported Wednesday. An independent panel of health experts convened by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is expected to convene on April 13 to consider the data that will be used to decide whether to revoke Mexico’s measles-free status, which it has maintained for 30 years.

“In fact, Mexico has already lost its position,” said Malachias López Cervantes, an epidemiologist at the National Autonomous University.

“All that remains is for PAHO to make a bureaucratic declaration. What Mexico has to prove is its ability to manage the outbreak that we are facing today,” López said, as quoted in the Times report.

A PAHO committee meeting is expected to be held within two months before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Mexico is also a co-sponsor. with the United States and Canada.

Mexico to welcome up to 5 million World Cup tourists in 2026According to FIFA estimates.

“We will probably accept unvaccinated visitors,” Mexican infectious disease researcher Victoria Pando Robles told the New York Times.

“And if you go to the stadium, you’re going to encounter thousands of people who are susceptible to this disease,” she says.

“And that number becomes significant. It’s exponential,” Pando said.

mexico news daily