Measles-free status in jeopardy in the Americas as outbreaks continue

The Pan American Health Organization says ongoing outbreaks of measles in the Americas mean Canada, the United States and Mexico are in danger of losing their measles-free status.

The Americas region is at risk of losing its measles-free status as the highly infectious disease continues to spread in Canada, Mexico and the United States, the head of the Pan American Health Organization told Reuters in an interview.

To be considered measles-free, a country where an outbreak takes place must get back to zero cases within 12 months.

That deadline expires at the end of this month for Canada, while the United States has until January and Mexico until February.

PAHO head Dr Jarbas Barbosa said all three countries were at risk of missing the deadlines, which would deprive the Americas of its measles-free status and set back the wider goal of a measles-free world by 2030.

Falling vaccination rates were to blame for the spread of the disease, he said.

When asked if he was concerned about policy changes in the United States, where Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr, a longstanding vaccine sceptic, has overhauled the system of recommending vaccines, Barbosa avoided criticising any specific country.

But he emphasised the importance of accurate public information in ensuring vaccination rates do not fall.

“We need to stick to the science and the evidence,” he said.