(CNS): Health officials in the Cayman Islands say there have been no confirmed cases of measles since 2019 in the Cayman Islands. Last week, the Pan American Health Organization issued a new epidemiological alert on measles, calling on countries to intensify epidemiological surveillance, vaccination and rapid outbreak response due to outbreaks in several countries in the region.
Cayman boasts a solid vaccination level of 95%, which health officials say is the best way to protect people from what can be a very serious virus.
Across the Americas last year, there were 14,891 confirmed measles cases, including 29 deaths, in 13 countries, a 32-fold increase compared with the 466 cases reported in 2024. There were 597 cases in Bolivia, and 5,436 in Canada, including two deaths. The United States reported 2,242 cases, including three deaths, while in Mexico there were 6,428 cases, including 24 deaths.
Since the start of this year, cases have continued to surge. PAHO said that during the first three weeks of 2026 another 1,031 cases were confirmed in seven countries, including 171 in the United States. This is a a 43-fold increase compared with the the same period last year.
Measles is highly contagious but preventable. Evidence indicates that, among confirmed cases with vaccination information, 78% were unvaccinated and 11% had an unknown vaccination status, reflecting the need to complete vaccination schedules and employ additional protective measures in outbreak settings.
Here in the Cayman Islands, measles surveillance forms part of routine communicable disease monitoring. Any suspected measles case is promptly investigated, including contact tracing, and laboratory testing is conducted, with results typically available within 24 to 48 hours and often the same day. This ensures rapid identification and response if a suspected case arises.
The main risk for Cayman is the importation of the virus from areas experiencing outbreaks rather than local transmission. The Public Health Department continues to monitor the situation closely and remains prepared to respond quickly if needed, oficials told CNS this week in response to our enquiries.
Cayman vaccination levels remain strong and above regional and international averages, though numbers fell last year, reflecting a small cohort and post-pandemic service trends. The PHD said this was being actively addressed through routine immunisation services and follow-up.
The Cayman Islands continues to maintain strong protection against measles, supported by high vaccination coverage, effective surveillance, and rapid response capacity.
Parents and caregivers are encouraged to check their children’s immunization records and ensure vaccinations are up to date according to the national schedule,” officials told us, adding that they are working with healthcare providers, schools, and communities to maintain high vaccination uptake.
“MMR is an extremely safe and effective vaccination,” they said. “Preventing measles is far easier and safer than controlling an outbreak.”
