Deaths from measles climb in Mexico, US, and Canada, amid outbreak
Why it's important
The outbreaks are related to low vaccination coverage, the UN agency said, as 71 per cent of cases occurred in unvaccinated people and 18 per cent in individuals with unknown vaccination status.
By the numbers
As of August 8, 10,139 cases of measles and 18 related deaths had been confirmed from among 10 countries in the Americas, representing a 34-fold increase compared to the same period in 2024, Paho figures showed.
Of those 18 deaths, 14 were in Mexico, three in the United States and one in Canada.
Most of the deaths in Mexico occurred in Indigenous people between 1 and 54 years old, Paho said.
Key quotes
'Measles is preventable with two doses of a vaccine, which is proven to be very safe and effective. To stop these outbreaks, countries must urgently strengthen routine immunization and conduct targeted vaccination campaigns in high-risk communities,' said Daniel Salas, responsible for immunisation at Paho.
Context
Measles is highly contagious and spreads rapidly among unvaccinated people, especially children, according to Paho.
In the US, a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed that vaccination rates for several diseases including measles, diphtheria and polio decreased among US kindergartners in the 2024-25 school year from the year before. — Reuters
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
17 hours ago
- Malay Mail
One or two drinks a day? Gallup poll finds most Americans believe even moderate alcohol use is harmful
WASHINGTON, Aug 17 — A narrow majority of Americans now believe even moderate consumption of alcohol negatively affects health, as US drinking levels continue to decline, according to a recent survey. Pollster Gallup found the number of Americans who said they drink alcohol to be at an all-time low since the poll was first conducted in 1939 — a few years after the United States ended its prohibition of alcohol. The survey found 54 per cent of Americans reported they drank alcohol either occasionally or regularly in 2025, down from at least 60 per cent recorded between 1997 and 2023. Those who did say they drank alcohol reported it was in smaller amounts, with the average number of drinks consumed in the last week being 2.8, 'the lowest figure Gallup has recorded since 1996,' the pollster said on its website. Attitudes toward alcohol, which Gallup has been tracking since 2001, saw the most significant difference in the poll published this week. The number of people who consider moderate consumption of alcohol — up to one or two drinks per day — to be bad for personal health rose to 53 per cent in 2025. For comparison, the figure was 27 per cent in the early 2000s. 'Americans' drinking habits are shifting amid the medical world's reappraisal of alcohol's health effects,' the pollster noted. In January, then-US surgeon general Vivek Murthy called for alcohol to be sold with a cancer warning label on its packaging. 'Alcohol is a well-established, preventable cause of cancer, responsible for about 100,000 cancer cases and 20,000 cancer deaths annually in the United States,' he said in a statement. 'Yet the majority of Americans are unaware of this risk,' he added, underscoring the urgent need for public education. — AFP
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Melaka achieves 60.51% measles-rubella vaccination coverage in 12 days
MELAKA: A total of 60.51 per cent or 27,166 children in Melaka have received the Measles-Rubella Supplementary Immunisation Activity (MRSIA) vaccination since August 4. State Health, Human Resources and Unity Committee chairman Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem said 14,922 children were vaccinated in Melaka Tengah, 6,194 in Alor Gajah, and 6,050 in Jasin. The 10-week MRSIA campaign targets 46,500 children, with 26,500 in Melaka Tengah, 12,000 in Alor Gajah, and 8,000 in Jasin. Jasin recorded the highest vaccination rate at 77.73 per cent, followed by Melaka Tengah (58.43 per cent) and Alor Gajah (53.63 per cent). Ngwe announced this during the launch of the Melaka-level Bulan Malaysia Sihat Sejahtera (BMSS) celebration, attended by state Health director Dr. Ruzita Mustaffa. He said the vaccination coverage exceeded the initial 12-day target of 36.36 per cent. The Melaka Health Department aims to vaccinate over 95 per cent of eligible children within the campaign period. Parents are urged to ensure children aged six to 59 months, born between August 1, 2020, and January 31, 2025, receive the free supplementary vaccination. Dr. Ruzita said over 13 health programmes will run in September as part of BMSS, targeting communities and schools. Health screenings will be held at three district hospitals and clinics from September 1 to 30. The programme includes the Orang Asli community through collaborations with various agencies. BMSS aims to promote healthy lifestyles and reduce non-communicable disease risks like diabetes and obesity. - Bernama
Barnama
a day ago
- Barnama
Melaka: 60.51 Pct Of Children Receive Supplementary Measles-Rubella Vaccination
GENERAL MELAKA, Aug 16 (Bernama) -- A total of 60.51 per cent or 27,166 children in Melaka have been vaccinated through the Measles-Rubella Supplementary Immunisation Activity (MRSIA) within 12 days since Aug 4. State Health, Human Resources and Unity Committee chairman Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem said that out of this number, 14,922 children were in the Melaka Tengah district, 6,194 in Alor Gajah and 6,050 in Jasin. Throughout the 10-week MRSIA campaign, a total of 46,500 children in Melaka are targeted to receive the supplementary vaccine, with 26,500 in the Melaka Tengah district, 12,000 in Alor Gajah and 8,000 in Jasin. To date, the Jasin district has recorded the highest percentage of children who have received the vaccination, at 77.73 per cent, followed by Melaka Tengah (58.43 per cent) and Alor Gajah (53.63 per cent), he told reporters at a shopping mall here today. He said this after officiating the launch of the Melaka-level Bulan Malaysia Sihat Sejahtera (BMSS) celebration, which was also attended by the state Health director Dr. Ruzita Mustaffa. Elaborating further, Ngwe said the achievement of the supplementary vaccination coverage percentage had exceeded the initial target percentage set, which was 36.36 per cent within 12 days of the initiative's implementation. He said the Melaka Health Department is committed to ensuring that more than 95 per cent of the eligible children in Melaka receive the supplementary vaccinations within the stipulated time, free of charge. "There is still time for parents to ensure that their children, aged six to 59 months who were born between Aug 1, 2020 and Jan 31, 2025, receive supplementary vaccinations so that they are protected from the threat of infectious diseases such as measles," he said. Meanwhile, Dr. Ruzita said that in conjunction with the BMSS celebration in September, more than 13 programmes and activities related to healthy living practices and disease prevention have been planned, involving the community, society and school students in the state.
