As measles spreads rapidly across North America, public health officials are sounding the alarm over rising infections — and mounting fatalities — in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Infants and Children Among the Victims

In a heartbreaking case out of Ontario, Canada, health officials confirmed this week that a premature infant has died after contracting measles in utero. The baby’s mother had not received the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, and doctors say the infection may have contributed to the premature birth and death, though other unrelated health complications were also involved.

South of the border, Mexico has reported four measles-related deaths in 2025. The United States has seen three fatalities so far this year: two children in Texas and one adult in New Mexico — all unvaccinated.

A Resurgence Not Seen in Decades

Health authorities are grappling with the largest measles outbreaks in decades. According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Mexico has recorded over 1,500 cases, while Canada has already surpassed all combined totals from the past 27 years with at least 2,755 cases, the majority in Ontario.

Meanwhile, the U.S. has logged at least 1,168 cases in 2025, according to federal data released Friday. Nearly 80% of these are tied to an outbreak that began in West Texas and has since spread to New Mexico, Oklahoma, and possibly Canada. It’s the second-highest case count in the U.S. since measles was officially declared eliminated in 2000.

Why Is This Happening?

The World Health Organization has declared the measles threat across the Americas as “high,” largely due to low vaccination rates.

Many outbreaks have been centered in Mennonite communities, which often have lower immunization coverage due to limited interaction with mainstream healthcare systems. In Mexico, the outbreak began in Chihuahua, home to a large Mennonite population, and closely connected to similar communities in Texas and Canada.

However, officials from PAHO clarified during a recent briefing that while the outbreaks originated in similar communities, most of the ongoing spread is now happening in the general population.

No Clear Genetic Link — Yet

Despite the cross-border spread, health experts caution that there’s currently no confirmed genetic evidence directly linking outbreaks across the three countries. Only a small portion of cases have had their viral genomes sequenced, making it difficult to track precise transmission chains.

Travel Warnings and Vaccine Urgency

With international travel amplifying the risk of spread, Mexico issued a travel advisory in April for those heading to the U.S. and Canada. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also updated its guidance, urging anyone planning international travel to ensure they’ve received two doses of the MMR vaccine.

Ontario’s chief medical officer, Dr. Kieran Moore, reinforced this message Thursday, particularly for those who may become pregnant:

“Anyone who is unvaccinated is at risk, and I urge everyone — especially those who may become pregnant — to ensure they have received two doses of the MMR vaccine, which will protect both a parent and baby. This vaccine has been safely used for over 50 years and is highly effective. Two doses provide nearly 100 percent protection.”

Source: CNN – As measles spreads across the Americas, outbreaks in Mexico and Canada have also turned deadly

The post Measles Outbreaks Surge Across U.S., Canada, and Mexico: Deaths Reported appeared first on Journos News - Breaking News, World News, Top Stories, Todays Headlines and Flash Reports.

The measles outbreak in Gaines County, Texas, has doubled in size, reaching 48 confirmed cases, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) on Friday. The outbreak, first identified in late January, has been steadily growing.

Rising Case Numbers Across Counties

• Gaines County: 42 cases (the epicenter of the outbreak).
• Terry County: 3 cases.
• Yoakum County: 2 cases.
• Lynn County: 1 case.

Health officials warn that more cases are expected due to the highly contagious nature of measles.

Who is Affected?

• All cases involve unvaccinated individuals or those with unknown vaccination status.
• Most infections are in children aged 5 to 17 years.
• Symptoms appeared within the last three weeks.
• Hospitalizations: 13 patients have required hospital care.

Measles Spreading Beyond Texas

The outbreak has crossed state lines into Lea County, New Mexico, where three cases have been confirmed this week.

• The first case involved an unvaccinated teenager.
• The vaccination status of the other two cases remains unknown.
• Health officials suspect the New Mexico cases are linked to the Texas outbreak.

What is Measles?

Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease that spreads through coughing and sneezing. Symptoms include:
Fever
Cough
Red eyes
Rash

In severe cases, measles can lead to blindness, pneumonia, or encephalitis (brain swelling). It can also be fatal.

Low Vaccination Rates in Gaines County

• Nearly 1 in 5 kindergarteners (18%) in Gaines County did not receive the MMR vaccine in the 2023-24 school year.
• This is one of the highest vaccine exemption rates in Texas, increasing the risk of outbreaks.

Efforts to Control the Outbreak

The Texas health department is collaborating with:

• South Plains Public Health District
• Lubbock Public Health

Free Vaccination Clinics

Texas:

• 80+ people have received free MMR vaccinations at clinics in Gaines County.
• Clinics are now open 7 days a week.

New Mexico:

• Free vaccines available at public health clinics in Lea County for the next two weeks.

Measles on the Rise in the U.S.

• 285 cases were reported nationwide in 2023, the highest since 2019.
• Measles cases in 2024: Reported in Texas, Alaska, New Mexico, Georgia, Rhode Island, and New York City.
• U.S. vaccination rates falling:
  • A record 125,000 kindergarteners lacked at least one required vaccine last year.
  • The U.S. goal is 95% MMR vaccine coverage in kindergarteners, but the country has missed this target for four years in a row.

Takeaway

With low vaccination rates and rising cases, health officials urge immediate vaccination to prevent further spread of this highly contagious and potentially deadly disease.

Get vaccinated. Protect yourself. Stop the spread.

Source

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