Mexico is grappling with a surge in cases of Mpox, also known as monkeypox, but health specialists are sounding a louder alarm over the spread of measles, which has caused more deaths and poses a greater public health risk.
According to data from the Epidemiological Bulletin of the Ministry of Health (SSA), there have been 189 reported cases of Mpox in Mexico as of May 17, 2025, compared to just 18 in the same period last year. However, experts emphasize that the greatest concern is the measles outbreak, which has claimed four lives this year and infected over 1,500 people.
Measles, a highly contagious disease, has spread rapidly due to its high transmission rate, with one person able to infect more than ten others through sneezing, coughing, or indirect contact. In contrast, Mpox is primarily transmitted through sexual contact and poses a much lower public health risk.
Physician José Castell, an expert in public health and preventive medicine, notes that measles is not an immediate emergency but its high transmission rate makes it a more critical public health problem. “Measles can spread to more than ten people through sneezing, coughing, or even by remaining in the air for up to two hours after an infected person has left the area,” he warns.
Castell also compares the transmissibility of different diseases, stating that while seasonal flu and COVID-19 can infect 1.3 to 2 people each, measles can affect more than ten through indirect contact.
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Mpox an international health emergency in August 2024 following outbreaks in African countries. However, the low pandemic risk posed by Mpox, with a case fatality rate of less than 1%, has led experts to focus on the measles outbreak.
The Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris) has approved the Mpox vaccine, which is available for use in the event of new outbreaks. However, the key concern remains the measles outbreak, attributed in part to the growth of anti-vaccine movements.
In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have documented 1,088 cases of measles and three deaths as of May 29, 2025. The phenomenon has been linked to the rise of anti-vaccine movements, a trend also being felt in Mexico.
Experts stress that measles is spread through the air and can remain active in the environment for hours, making it a more significant public health risk than Mpox. As the region grapples with vaccine rejection, specialists urge vigilance to prevent further outbreaks.
Source: Debate
