Guatemala: 2026 Measles

[Shiloh]

Source: https://crnnoticias.com/sarampion-se-expande-en-guatemala-confirman-10-casos-y-activan-alertas/

Measles Spreads in Guatemala: 10 Cases Confirmed and Alerts Activated
By Occidente Newsroom Published on 01/14/2026 5 min. read

The Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS) confirmed a measles outbreak in Guatemala. The main focus is located in the municipality of Santiago Atitlán, in the department of Sololá. According to the epidemiological update as of January 13, the country has 10 confirmed cases. Seven are in Sololá. The others are distributed in Guatemala City, Puerto Barrios (Izabal), and San Luis (Petén).
Epidemiological Surveillance and Containment Measures

The National Health Laboratory reported that, as part of the health alert, it is processing 46 samples associated with suspected cases. Of these, 24 are still being analyzed and 10 have been confirmed as positive. The teams are applying international protocols, which include nasopharyngeal swabs, blood tests, and urine samples, to ensure reliable results.

Faced with the concentration of cases and the risk of further spread, health authorities activated immediate containment measures. First, they reinforced epidemiological surveillance. Then, they provided clinical follow-up to confirmed patients. In addition, they are conducting contact tracing and intensifying door-to-door vaccination campaigns, prioritizing the MMR vaccine. Furthermore, they temporarily suspended in-person classes in Santiago Atitlán, which will continue virtually until January 30.

Specialists from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are collaborating with local staff. This support strengthens early detection and outbreak control strategies. Meanwhile, departments bordering Sololá activated preventive protocols due to high population mobility.

Human Rights Ombudsman's Office Verification of Care and Protocols

The Health Ombudsman's Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman (PDH) conducted verifications at the National Health Laboratory and the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS). The Human Rights Ombudsman's Office (@PDHgt) confirmed the proper handling of samples, compliance with protocols, and medical care for affected patients. The institution emphasized the importance of guaranteeing the right to health through effective surveillance and a timely response from the State.​..

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.infobae.com/guatemala/2...on-moviliza-acciones-sanitarias-en-guatemala/

The emergence of 38 measles cases mobilizes health measures in Guatemala
Health sector specialists have deployed field investigations and clinical surveillance following the detection of multiple infections linked to a public gathering held in the department of Sololá
Sayda Galicia
From Guatemala
January 22, 2026 11:30 a.m. EST

The emergence of 38 confirmed cases of measles linked to a large gathering in Santiago Atitlán, Sololá, has triggered an immediate response from the Guatemalan Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS), which has decided to intensify epidemiological surveillance to contain the disease and prevent its community spread.

Given that measles is considered an eliminated disease in the region, the outbreak poses a risk of reintroduction of the virus into the country, a situation that has put health authorities on alert and requires the strengthening of preventive measures.

According to the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS), health teams have deployed a field investigation, accompanied by active surveillance in various departments, as the event was attended by people from all over Guatemala, as well as from Mexico and the United States.

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As part of these actions, contacts of confirmed cases are being monitored, clinical follow-up is being conducted on those infected, and the response is being coordinated among different institutions with the aim of reducing the risk of measles transmission.

As of January 19, the number of confirmed cases has reached 38, the result of retrospective contact tracing that has identified people who no longer presented symptoms but who, after clinical and epidemiological analysis, were confirmed as carriers of the virus.

The accuracy of reporting these cases is ensured thanks to the work of the National Health Laboratory, which processes samples using two complementary methodologies: the detection of antibodies linked to recent exposure and the direct identification of the virus.

Erika Gaitán, head of surveillance for vaccine-preventable diseases at the Directorate of Epidemiology and Risk Management, explained to the Guatemalan News Agency that the "eliminated" status of measles in the region necessitates the implementation of special protocols.

"The Ministry activated special protocols that involve a more rigorous analysis of each suspected case, with the aim of confirming or ruling out infections and preventing community transmission," Gaitán stated, according to the MSPAS press release. Laboratory results are integrated into epidemiological investigations that establish transmission chains and allow each case to be linked to the specific event.

The Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance has reiterated its call to the public to check and complete their vaccination schedules, emphasizing that immunization is the primary tool for preventing infection. Authorities insist that vaccination remains the fundamental measure for preventing outbreaks and protecting children and the entire community from potentially serious complications arising from measles.​

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://lahora.gt/nacionales/dleon/...entos-solola-y-guatemala-reportan-la-mayoria/

Measles in Guatemala Spreads to 13 Departments; Sololá and Guatemala Report Most Cases
Danny de León
January 26, 2026

Following the confirmation of a measles outbreak in Santiago Atitlán, Sololá, the chain of transmission has spread to 13 departments, according to the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS).

Ericka Gaitán, an epidemiologist with the Ministry of Health, shared the progress of the outbreak, the number of cases and the departments where they have occurred, and a series of recommendations for those who consider themselves vulnerable to the infectious disease.

As of Monday, January 26, a total of 82 cases have been registered, double the number from a week ago, when there were 38 cases.

The departmental distribution is as follows:​

Sololá – 39
Guatemala Central – 6
Guate Nororiente – 5
Guatemala Noroccidente – 4
Guatemala Sur – 2
Escuintla – 5
Izabal – 5
Jalapa – 3
Totonicapán – 2
Quetzaltenango – 2
Quiché – 2
Huehuetenango – 2
Peten Suroriente – 2
Peten Norte – 1
Sacatepéquez – 1
Baja Verapaz – 1​


According to the expert responsible for surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases at the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS), the actions taken include tracing the chains of transmission of the first measles cases in Sololá, which date back to an event held between December 10 and 14 and were confirmed on January 9 of this year.

This has also allowed for the identification of other new patients, Gaitán added.

"They are being monitored at the community level to ensure they are in adequate health, and if they need to go to a higher-level service, they are put in contact with the hospital for closer follow-up," added the MSPAS delegate for the measles outbreak.​..

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.infobae.com/guatemala/2...arampion-en-empresas-y-escuelas-de-guatemala/

Guatemala's Ministry of Health Intensifies Measles Vaccination in Businesses and Schools
The health campaign covers workplaces, classrooms, and high-traffic areas, aiming to halt the increase in infections and expand coverage for high-risk groups, especially those under 50.
Sayda Galicia
April 29, 2026 6:53 p.m. EST

Since April, the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance has been implementing an intensive strategy to deliver the measles vaccine directly to businesses, schools, and other high-traffic areas in the department of Guatemala. This initiative seeks to curb the spread of the outbreak, which has seen 5,297 cases and the deaths of four infants between December 2025 and April 2026, according to the Ministry's latest update.

More than half of the infections are concentrated in the capital and its surrounding municipalities, such as Mixco and San Juan Sacatepéquez, prompting targeted interventions in high-risk areas.

As of April 24, the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS) had administered 294,116 doses of the measles vaccine nationwide. The campaign expanded its reach to include the so-called "zero dose" for infants aged six to eleven months, a particularly vulnerable group following reported deaths. Vaccination figures and the number of active cases demonstrate the magnitude of the epidemiological challenge, justifying the official decision to extend coverage to people under 50 years of age.​..

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://kchcomunicacion.com/2026/05...or-brote-de-sarampion-con-mas-de-6-mil-casos/


May 17, 2026
Guatemala on Red Alert Due to Measles Outbreak with Over 6,000 Cases

Since January 2026, the Guatemalan Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS) has declared a nationwide Red Alert due to a rapidly spreading measles outbreak affecting multiple departments. As of May 14, 2026, the epidemiological situation demands an immediate and coordinated response.

To date, 6,209 laboratory-confirmed cases and 7,752 probable cases have been reported. Although the case fatality rate remains at 0.19%, the outbreak has caused 12 deaths. The epicenter is located in the Central Guatemala region, which has the highest concentration of infections. As a preventative measure, the government has administered 604,638 doses of the vaccine to establish herd immunity.

Data from the official dashboard on the measles situation in Guatemala as of May 14, 2026, reflecting the national Red Alert status and the figures for confirmed cases, deaths, and doses administered.

To address this emergency, the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS), led by Dr. Joaquín Barnoya, launched the "Vaccination in Action Against Measles" campaign. This initiative seeks to intensify immunization efforts and strengthen the response in vulnerable areas. Initially, it will focus on three priority municipalities in the department of Guatemala due to their population density and commercial activity: Guatemala City, Mixco, and San Juan Sacatepéquez.

The plan will last nine weeks and will be implemented in stages to progressively cover the remaining municipalities. The campaign adopts a proactive model with two main components:

Strategic Mini-Campaigns: Setting up vaccination sites in locations with high pedestrian traffic, such as shopping malls, plazas, schools, and businesses.

House-to-House Vaccination: Health brigades will visit neighborhoods and communities to vaccinate unvaccinated individuals and close coverage gaps.

Analysis of the Epidemiological Dynamics

Monitoring of the virus from epidemiological week 51 of 2025 to week 19 of 2026 shows an upward trend in infections, peaking between weeks 9 and 12. The Regional Health Directorate (DDRISS) indicates Central Guatemala as the most affected area, with 2,018 confirmed cases. It is followed by Northwest Guatemala (517), Quiché (360), Sololá (355), Totonicapán (299), and Chimaltenango (297). Although only 21 cases were reported in the last week (week 19), authorities warn that there may be a delay in reporting.

Distribution of the 6,209 confirmed measles cases by Health Area Directorate (DDRISS) and epidemiological week (from the end of 2025 to week 19 of 2026).​..