Regional health agency issues measles alert for World Cup

Key points

• The combination of rising measles transmission and increased international travel creates conditions that could accelerate the spread of the disease during large-scale events, the UN-backed Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) warned in an alert.
• It urged authorities to step up surveillance, identify the highest-risk areas and ensure that travellers have access to information and vaccination services ahead of the World Cup and other mass gatherings.
• Tweet URL Rising measles caseload People everywhere are gearing up for the tournament, which runs from 11 June to 19 July.
• For the first time ever, the world’s biggest sporting event is being held in three countries: Canada, Mexico and the United States.
• The World Cup takes place as measles is on the rise globally, and across the Americas.