Mexico City, (EFE).- The current measles outbreak in Mexico, with over 10,000 cases and 31 deaths since 2025, could intensify during the World Cup due to the mobility of millions of visitors, according to health experts who spoke with EFE on Friday.
Jorge Baruch Díaz, a surgeon and the head of the traveler’s clinic at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, told EFE that the World Cup will cause an increase in measles cases, as it is a “very contagious” disease and transmitted through the air.
“Most likely, after the tournament, a wave of infections will follow in the three countries that organize the World Cup (the United States, Mexico, and Canada). It will happen because none of the three countries will be able to vaccinate the remaining 10% to achieve immunization in less than four months,” he said.
He believes the case rebound will be significant among unvaccinated people and urged intensifying vaccination campaigns before the sporting event, as it is impossible to achieve herd immunity in the remaining 100 days before the tournament begins.
Baruch said the increase in cases will delay the certification of measles-free countries in North America. Mexico still has the certification, but it will surely lose it before the start of the World Cup on Jun. 11.
However, he clarified that the situation will not cause the measles outbreak to “get out of control” in Mexico, thanks to its health policy, because “we are scaling up” to achieve national immunity.
Dr. Areli Pérez, medical director of the NGO Medical Impact, said an increase in contagions due to the World Cup is possible, however, she is confident in the effectiveness of the government’s vaccination campaigns.
Getting vaccinated a “clear message” directed at travelers
Pérez noted that preventive vaccination is done to avoid “lowering our guard” and causing the virus to reach countries where it is not yet “endemic.”
According to the expert, the strategy must focus on “case control” before the sporting event.
She also drew attention to the fact that the epidemic “preys” on vulnerable communities, such as rural and Indigenous groups in states like Jalisco (west) and Chiapas (south), two of those with the most contagious states throughout the country.
“Many measures have been discussed for prevention, but the most valuable is vaccination. We must raise awareness and provide the vaccine to 100% of the population,” she concluded.
As of Friday, the President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, reiterated that they have enough vaccines to immunize the population, particularly the most vulnerable groups and those most affected by the epidemic.EFE
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