Although other countries, such as Brazil, still maintain the status of disease-free areas, PAHO reported that, due to the situation in Canada, the Americas lost certification
A Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) announced, last Monday (10), that the American continent is no longer a region free from endemic transmission of the measles. The decision was taken after confirming that the Canada is facing an outbreak of the disease, with the virus circulating for at least 12 months. Although other countries, such as Brazil, still maintain the status of disease-free areas, PAHO reported that, due to the situation in Canada, the Americas lost their certification.
In a statement, Jarbas Barbosa, director of PAHO, stated that “this loss represents a setback, but it is also reversible”, highlighting that the region has the capacity to regain its status with adequate control and vaccination measures. The measles outbreak in Canada began in October 2024, in New Brunswick, and has already resulted in more than 5 thousand registered cases. Although the number of infections is declining, transmission continues in some provinces, such as Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The Canadian outbreak led PAHO to review the region’s classification, as measles is highly contagious and can have serious complications, such as pneumonia, encephalitis, blindness and even death.
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This is not the first time that the Americas have lost their status as a measles-free region. Between 2018 and 2019, outbreaks in Venezuela and Brazil also resulted in the revocation of certification. However, Barbosa highlighted that, with joint efforts and sustained vaccination, it is possible to recover this status. Although Brazil has recorded some isolated outbreaks of the disease, the country still maintains its certification as a measles-free area, thanks to strict surveillance by local authorities. Isabella Ballalai, director of the Brazilian Society of Immunizations (SBIm), warned, however, of the need for increased attention, especially with the increase in cases in the United States and the constant movement of Brazilians to that region.
According to PAHO, as of November 7, 2025, 12,596 cases of measles had been confirmed in 10 countries in the Americas, with 95% of these cases concentrated in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Furthermore, the disease has already caused 28 deaths on the continent, 23 in Mexico, 3 in the United States and 2 in Canada. Most cases involve unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status, and children under one year of age are the most affected group.
Renato Kfouri, president of the Technical Chamber for the Elimination of Measles, Rubella and Congenital Rubella Syndrome of the Ministry of Health, emphasized that vaccination is the main measure to prevent the spread of measles. PAHO estimates that, in the last 25 years, immunization prevented more than six million deaths in the Americas. In Brazil, vaccination coverage of the first dose of MMR is high, but the second dose still does not reach the target of 95%, remaining around 79%.
To combat the disease, the Technical Chamber presented PAHO with recommendations such as strengthening epidemiological surveillance and expanding coverage of the second dose of the vaccine, especially in areas with low adherence. “The big challenge continues to be keeping Brazil away from measles, especially when our neighbors register an increase in cases”, concluded Kfouri.
With the increase in cases in nearby countries and the international movement of people, controlling the disease requires continuous surveillance, immunization and awareness efforts to protect the population and prevent new outbreaks.
*With information from Estadão Conteúdo
