# Measles surge continues across the Americas and U.S > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/north-american-measles-cases-and-vaccination-response > Updated: 2026-08-19T19:41:21.000Z. Sources: 80. Developments: 7. By late August 2026, the measles resurgence across the Americas has escalated, marked by fatalities in the United States and new suspected cases in Honduras. In the United States, the outbreak has turned fatal in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where health officials reported the first two measles-related deaths of 2026. Both deceased individuals were unvaccinated. This represents the first recorded measles deaths in Pennsylvania in 35 years, with the state reporting 393 confirmed cases across 28 counties this year. These developments follow previous trends where adults aged 50 and older sought increased antibody testing due to outbreaks in West Texas and South Carolina. In Honduras, the Aníbal Murillo Escobar Hospital in Olanchito has implemented mandatory mask-wearing for all staff, patients, and visitors following suspected measles cases. Although the Secretariat of Health has not yet confirmed these cases via laboratory testing, medical officials have begun proactively vaccinating children in the area. Regional containment efforts continue to expand. In Mexico, Tlaxcala reported administering over 565,000 vaccine doses through July 2026. In Argentina, health centers like the Dr. Ramón Carrillo center in Clorinda have launched door-to-door vaccination drives. In Chile, the Servicio de Salud Chiloé is reinforcing school-based vaccination strategies to reach a 90% coverage rate. Meanwhile, Mecklenburg County in the U.S. has mandated that students be up to date on vaccinations by late September to mitigate the spread of measles and other diseases. ## Claims - The United States has recorded 2,260 measles cases. (disputed by 7 sources) - U.S. measles cases reached a 35‑year high in 2026 with 2,318 confirmed infections. (disputed by 2 sources) - Guatemala has recorded the highest number of measles cases in the region, with 30,371 cases and 26 deaths. (disputed by 2 sources) - Mexico is the second country with the highest number of measles cases, totaling 12,255 cases and 17 deaths. (disputed by 2 sources) - Mexico reported 45 measles deaths and 19,074 confirmed cases since the outbreak began in February of the previous year. (disputed) - The Mexican outbreak affected 11 states, with Chihuahua recording the highest death toll of 21. (disputed) - Guatemala has recorded 30,040 cumulative measles cases and 29 deaths as of June 24. (disputed) - The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an epidemiological alert due to a measles outbreak in the Americas. (corroborated by 25 sources) - The public health risk associated with measles in the Americas is classified as 'very high'. (corroborated by 25 sources) - Measles cases in the Americas have more than tripled compared to the previous year. (corroborated by 25 sources) - Guatemala, Mexico, the United States, and Peru account for approximately 95% of all confirmed measles cases in the region. (corroborated by 24 sources) - The Americas are experiencing their highest number of confirmed measles cases in over two decades. (corroborated by 22 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-19: Public health initiatives expand vaccination and disease monitoring across the Americas Health authorities in Mexico, Chile, Argentina, and the US are intensifying vaccination campaigns and monitoring disease trends, including rising syphilis cases in Chile and school immunization mandates in the' 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chilo-health-service-intensifies-school-vaccination-campaign ### 2026-08-08: Measles outbreak in the Americas triggers PAHO epidemiological alert PAHO has issued an alert as measles cases in the Americas more than triple compared to last year, with 47,459 cases reported. Guatemala, Mexico, the US, and Peru account for 95% of the infections. 37 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/measles-cases-rise-across-the-americas-according-to-who-data ### 2026-08-03: US measles outbreak costs $5.4 million, study shows A NMDOH‑CDC study finds the 2025 Texas‑New Mexico measles outbreak cost $5.4 million, averaging $53k per case, underscoring the financial strain of declining vaccination rates. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-measles-outbreak-costs-54-million-study-shows ### 2026-08-03: U.S. older adults surge to measles immunity tests amid outbreaks Over 74,000 U.S. adults over 50 got measles immunity tests in early 2025, spiking during West Texas and South Carolina outbreaks, according to Truveta analysis. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-older-adults-surge-to-measles-immunity-tests-amid-outbreaks ### 2026-07-28: Measles Outbreaks Surge in Mexico and United States Measles outbreaks in Mexico (45 deaths, 19,074 cases) and the US (2,318 cases, 3 deaths) hit 35‑year highs, prompting vaccine‑gap concerns, new antibody therapies, and criticism of past public‑health funding sl 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-states-measles-cases-reach-35year-high ### 2026-07-21: US measles cases hit 35‑year high, threatening elimination status US measles cases reach a 35‑year high of 2,295 in 2026, with 93 % unvaccinated, threatening the country's elimination status and prompting nationwide vaccination drives. 24 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/measles-cases-confirmed-in-montgomery-county-us-and-nanaimo-canada ### 2026-07-15: Measles outbreak spurs vaccination clinics in Teton County, WY and ID A measles outbreak in Teton County, spanning Wyoming and Idaho, led to a free walk‑in MMR clinic for young children and confirmed a vaccinated adult case in Idaho, prompting officials to urge vaccination checks 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/measles-outbreak-spurs-vaccination-clinics-in-teton-county-wy-and-id --- Cite as: Measles surge continues across the Americas and U.S. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/north-american-measles-cases-and-vaccination-response