Mexico — humanitarian situation

Latin America and the Caribbean faces multiple concurrent public health emergencies during the second half of 2026, with Mexico experiencing a significant measles outbreak alongside broader regional disease surveillance challenges. Between January and late July 2026, the Americas region recorded 47,026 confirmed measles cases from 17 countries and territories, representing a five-fold increase compared to the same period in 2025 PAHO. Mexico reported 12,233 confirmed cases, the second-highest national total after Guatemala's 30,040 cases, with these two countries plus the United States and Canada accounting for 97 percent of regional cases PAHO. The region has documented its highest number of confirmed measles cases in 22 years, with 48 deaths reported and the public health risk assessed as very high due to ongoing outbreaks, immunity gaps, and increased population mobility PAHO. PAHO has urged Member States to prioritize strengthening epidemiological surveillance, vaccination activities, and rapid response measures to suspected cases. Concurrent with the measles crisis, the region reported 1,470,237 suspected dengue cases through epidemiological week 29, resulting in a cumulative incidence of 142 cases per 100,000 population PAHO. This represents a 60 percent decrease compared to the same period in 2025. Additionally, avian influenza A(H5) continues circulating among bird populations with sporadic mammalian transmission potential, though the extent of impact in Mexico specifically is not detailed in available reports PAHO. The first half of 2026 saw overlapping climate-related, socioeconomic, and public health emergencies throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, including floods, landslides, droughts, and disease outbreaks that disrupted access to essential services and disproportionately affected children in vulnerable communities UNICEF. The regional humanitarian landscape is further shaped by ongoing population movements, with Venezuelan refugees and migrants continuing to move through Mexico and other countries in the region. The measles outbreak context includes mass gatherings with broad international participation, heightening transmission risks. PAHO has recommended intensifying active community engagement and ensuring vaccination coverage among mobile and vulnerable populations to contain ongoing transmission.