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[HEALTH] · Brazil, United States, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru · 20 sources

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Brazil intensifies measles surveillance amid rising cases in the Americas

Brazil's Ministry of Health has intensified measles monitoring and vaccination efforts following a significant rise in cases across the Americas. According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the United States, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, and Canada account for over 95% of confirmed measles cases in the region in 2026. Notably, the United States is experiencing its highest annual number of cases in more than 35 years, with over 90% of those affected being unvaccinated or having unknown vaccination status.

In Brazil, authorities have recorded 52 imported cases as of October 5, 2026, with 41 occurring in São Paulo, 10 in Amazonas, and one in Rio de Janeiro. Despite these imported instances, Brazil maintains its status as a country free from endemic measles circulation, a certification it regained in November 2024.

To prevent a resurgence, health teams are conducting active case searches, epidemiological investigations, and contact tracing. Vaccination coverage has shown improvement; since 2023, the number of unvaccinated children in Brazil has decreased by approximately 86%. In 2025, the coverage for the first dose of the MMR vaccine reached 93.10% nationwide.

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Brazil · Brazilian Ministry of Health · Ministry of Health · Pan American Health Organization · UNICEF · United States · World Health Organization

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