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Press Release No. 019 More than 2,000 schools are involved and epidemiological surveillance is maintained in response to the national measles outbreak
More than 2,000 schools are involved and maintaining epidemiological surveillance in response to a national measles outbreak.
Press Release No. 019 More than 2,000 schools are involved and epidemiological surveillance is maintained in response to the national measles outbreak
Preventive measures include vaccination and cleaning surfaces with water and chlorine. In Jalisco, more than one million measles vaccines have been administered. The use of face masks is mandatory for 30 days in basic education schools in the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area (AMG), and their use is recommended in middle and high schools.
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In response to the current national measles outbreak, the State Government, through the Jalisco Health Secretariat (SSJ) and the Jalisco Education Secretariat (SEJ), carried out actions in more than 2,000 schools, including vaccination and cleaning of surfaces with water and chlorine; in addition, more than one million measles vaccines have been administered.
The use of face masks was also mandated for 30 days in basic education schools in the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area (AMG), and they recommend using them in middle and upper secondary education schools.
Héctor Raúl Pérez Gómez, head of the SSJ, explained that 2026 has seen an acceleration in the spread of the disease due to multiple factors.
“We believe that the most important contributor to this acceleration in 2026 was the December holidays, the end-of-year festivities, in which we observed a relaxation of the discipline of going to vaccination and, particularly, of all the measures that should be followed against respiratory diseases,” he noted.
The Secretary of Health said that, in coordination with the Ministry of Education, preventive actions against measles have been constant in schools since the beginning of the outbreak.
The mandatory use of face masks in basic education schools applies to Guadalajara, Zapopan, San Pedro Tlaquepaque, Tonalá, Tlajomulco de Zúñiga, El Salto and Ixtlahuacán de los Membrillos.
In schools where a suspected case is registered, an epidemiological investigation is carried out and if the case is confirmed, the group is suspended and the virtual modality is applied for two weeks.
If more than one classroom is affected, as determined by epidemiological surveillance, the entire school takes virtual classes.
Ventilation of school spaces is of utmost importance and goes hand in hand with the cleaning of surfaces, with water and chlorine, carried out by the school's own cleaning staff; the use of face masks reinforces the protection of the health of students.
Currently, in-person activities are suspended in certain groups of 30 schools;
The Secretary of Health specified that only in four cases did the entire school staff migrate to virtual classes for two weeks.
As of February 3, 2026, Mexico has recorded a cumulative total of 8,332 confirmed cases and 26 deaths. In Jalisco, 1,776 cases have been confirmed, placing it second nationally in incidence rate with 12.39 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
Given this situation, in Jalisco, from 2025 to February 3, 2026, more than 1,020,000 doses of measles vaccines have been administered.
The goal set by the SSJ is to achieve a coverage of 350,000 doses per week, in order to break the chain of transmission.
“For us this is very important, Jalisco’s vaccination goal is at least 2 million doses and we have already achieved 50 percent of this goal,” said Pérez Gómez.
Juan Carlos Flores Miramontes, Secretary of Education in the state, pointed out that the education system has demonstrated its ability to contain the spread of viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2, and that with discipline and shared responsibility, it will do the same against diseases such as measles.
“We will continue to emphasize to our parents and teachers the importance of vaccination, not only for children, but also for ourselves to ensure we are protected. And if in doubt, the doctor and his team have told us we can get a booster shot. Second, hygiene. The same things that helped us contain COVID-19: washing hands, avoiding sharing food, and avoiding close contact,” he explained.
The Secretary called on mothers, fathers, and guardians not to send their children to school if they have any symptoms, and urged teachers to remain attentive to the health of their students.
“We need to be very vigilant to ensure that the fever doesn't rise to 38 degrees Celsius or higher, and watch for skin rashes, which are the most obvious symptoms, as well as cough, conjunctivitis, and nasal discharge. If the person with this potential infection is suspected, they and those around them should wear face masks. They should try to isolate themselves as much as possible, which is why they need to stay home. We ask parents and guardians to seek medical attention immediately and provide the school with this information,” he added.
Measles is characterized by symptoms such as high fever, cough, runny nose, rash (exanthem), which usually starts on the head or neck and spreads to the rest of the body.
The disease can lead to serious complications such as hearing loss, blindness due to corneal damage, pneumonia, seizures, or permanent motor or intellectual impairments due to brain inflammation.
There is no specific treatment for measles, so vaccination remains the best prevention tool.
To receive guidance on vaccination sites near your home, call the Jalisco Health Line at 33-3823-3220.
https://ssj.jalisco.gob.mx/prensa/noticias/comunicado-no-019-intervienen-mas-de-2-mil-escuel-14690
