Canada has reported the highest number of measles cases in North America, according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The organization, which is part of the World Health Organization, noted a significant increase in measles infections this year. As of August 8, there have been 10,139 confirmed cases across ten countries, marking a 33-fold rise compared to the same period in 2024, when only 311 cases were recorded.

Canada accounts for 4,548 of these cases, with the majority occurring in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario. PAHO attributes the surge in cases to low vaccination rates. The United States and Mexico have also experienced substantial outbreaks over the past year.

The health agency emphasizes the need for countries to enhance routine immunization efforts and implement targeted vaccination campaigns in communities at high risk. Currently, vaccine coverage in the region stands at 79 percent for the two doses required, which falls short of the 95 percent threshold recommended to prevent outbreaks.

The outbreak has resulted in 18 fatalities, with 14 deaths in Mexico, three in the United States, and one newborn in Canada. PAHO has identified that outbreaks are particularly prevalent in Mennonite communities, but recent data indicates a growing number of cases outside these groups.

In Mexico, a mass vaccination campaign is underway in Chihuahua, where the majority of its 3,911 infections have been reported. The report highlights that "Indigenous communities have been hardest hit, with a case-fatality rate 20 times higher than in the general population."

In the United States, outbreaks have been reported in 41 jurisdictions, totaling 1,356 cases. PAHO spokesperson Sebastian Oliel stated, "It’s important to note that these numbers are dynamic and may change as countries continue to update their case counts."

The situation underscores the urgent need for increased vaccination efforts to curb the spread of measles across the continent.