Health Ministry Warns of Growing Measles Outbreak in the Americas

The Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW) is alerting the public to a rapidly expanding measles outbreak across the Americas.

The ministry said that just three months into 2026, the region has already recorded 75 percent of the total measles cases reported for all of 2025.

According to the MoHW, most of the confirmed cases, along with 11 deaths, have been reported in neighboring Guatemala and Mexico. Health officials warn that the outbreak is expected to continue growing in the coming weeks.

Measles is described as a highly contagious viral illness that can lead to serious and long-term complications. Symptoms usually appear seven to 21 days after exposure and include fever, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash that begins at the hairline before spreading to the chest, back, limbs, and the rest of the body. Infected persons can spread the virus up to four days before and four days after the rash appears.

The ministry stressed that measles is preventable through vaccination. The MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella, is considered safe and highly effective. Two doses provide lifetime immunity.

Belize recorded 87.9 percent coverage for the first dose of the MMR vaccine in 2025. However, health officials cautioned that 90 percent of unvaccinated individuals exposed to the virus are likely to become infected.