World Cup 2026: Measles Outbreaks Surge Across Host Nations
Measles cases explode across World Cup host nations as June looms.
CALGARY, AB — The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in four months, but the Americas are battling a different kind of surge: measles cases have exploded across all three host nations, triggering a Pan American Health Organization alert and raising questions about public health preparedness for the summer's biggest gathering.
The Numbers Tell the Story
PAHO issued a regional epidemiological alert on February 3, calling for "immediate and coordinated action" to strengthen surveillance and vaccination. The timing isn't coincidental. In 2025, the Americas saw a 32-fold spike in confirmed measles cases—14,891 versus 466 the year before. The first three weeks of 2026? Another 45-fold jump compared to the same period in 2025, with 1,031 cases confirmed.
Mexico leads the count with 9,074 cases and at least 28 deaths as of February 11. The outbreak started in Chihuahua but spread fast. Jalisco—home to Guadalajara, a key World Cup host city—has logged 1,163 confirmed cases this year alone and issued a health alert mandating face masks in schools.
Canada lost its measles elimination status in November 2025 after more than 12 months of continuous transmission. The country reported 5,436 cases in 2025, including two deaths, and another 67 cases in the first three weeks of 2026.
The United States recorded 2,280 confirmed cases across 45 jurisdictions in 2025, with 49 outbreaks and three deaths. As of February 12, 910 cases have been confirmed across 24 jurisdictions. South Carolina alone is grappling with a major outbreak: 950 cases as of February 13.
World Cup, Big Crowd, Bigger Risk
PAHO specifically flagged the 2026 FIFA World Cup and other mass gatherings as flashpoints. The organization recommended countries ramp up active case finding and surveillance sensitivity. Millions of fans will cross borders, pack stadiums, and move through host cities in June. Public health systems are already stretched.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated on February 11 that no extraordinary measures have been considered for the World Cup "for the time being," despite the ongoing outbreaks. That stance may evolve as the tournament approaches and case counts continue to climb.
What It Means for Calgary
Cross-border travel, returning fans, and gaps in vaccination coverage mean local health authorities need to stay vigilant. Measles is airborne, highly contagious, and doesn't respect borders or schedules.
The vaccine works. The challenge is getting enough people to take it before the crowds arrive.
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