PAHO to review measles elimination status of U.S. and Mexico after outbreaks

The United States and Mexico will face a review of their measles elimination status after measles outbreaks were reported in both countries in 2025, according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

PAHO said on Friday that its Regional Monitoring and Re-Verification Commission for Measles, Rubella, and Congenital Rubella Syndrome will meet with U.S. and Mexican health authorities on April 13, 2026. The review follows measles outbreaks reported in the United States beginning on Jan. 20, 2025, and in Mexico beginning on Feb. 1, 2025.

PAHO said the April meeting date was set to give national health authorities and sustainability committees time to prepare comprehensive reports, including epidemiological and laboratory evidence, for review by the Commission.

Countries can lose measles elimination status if endemic transmission persists for at least 12 months within a defined geographical area.

Following its assessment, the Commission will submit recommendations to the PAHO Director, who will formally determine each country’s classification and communicate the decision to national authorities.

The announcement comes two months after Canada lost its measles elimination status following a year-long outbreak that spread across nearly every province and territory.

PAHO later determined that endemic measles transmission had been reestablished in Canada, resulting in the Region of the Americas losing its verification as free from endemic measles transmission.