Key Facts
• February 5: Jalisco state issues health alert and mandates masks in schools.
• 2026 FIFA World Cup co-host Mexico faces measles outbreak in Jalisco.
• 1981 confirmed and over 5200 suspected measles cases nationwide this year.
• Jalisco reports 163 confirmed and 2092 suspected cases in 2026.
• Outbreak began last year in Chihuahua, linked to unvaccinated Mennonite children.
• Measles cases rising in US, Mexico, and Canada; summer travel increases risk.
• Mask mandate applies to seven school districts in Guadalajara for 30 days.
• Vaccination centers set up at airports and bus terminals.
• PAHO reports 1031 new cases in seven American countries in first 3 weeks of 2026.
• Canada lost measles elimination status in November; US and Mexico at risk.
• US government withdrew from WHO under Trump administration in January.
Summary
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, Mexico’s Jalisco state faces a significant measles outbreak, prompting authorities to mandate mask wearing in schools starting February 5. The outbreak, which began last year in Chihuahua due to low vaccination rates in Mennonite communities, has spread nationwide with nearly 2000 confirmed cases and over 5200 suspected cases this year alone. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has issued epidemiological warnings as measles cases surge across the Americas, including the US and Canada, where elimination status has been lost. To curb the spread, Jalisco has imposed a 30-day mask mandate in seven Guadalajara districts and established vaccination centers at transport hubs. The outbreak raises concerns about increased infection risks during the summer travel season when millions of visitors arrive. Despite government efforts to extend control measures, political challenges such as the US withdrawal from WHO complicate regional cooperation. Mexico continues to urge two-dose measles vaccinations to prevent further spread ahead of the global event.
