Dr. Juan Manuel Lira discusses the current measles outbreak in Mexico, where over 9,000 cases have been confirmed and there have been 28 deaths related to the virus. Emphasizing that measles is a highly contagious disease, Lira highlights the need for a herd immunity threshold of 95% to effectively combat it. He notes that the current vaccination rates have failed to meet this standard, leading to the ongoing crisis.

Lira critiques the narrative put forth by the director of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS), Zoé Robledo, who has blamed previous neoliberal governments for the rise in measles cases. While Robledo references a study from 2025 to support his claims, Lira argues that this simplification of the issue overlooks the complexity of public health challenges. He stresses the importance of examining data comprehensively without falling into the trap of politicization, which can obscure the real solutions needed to address the measles outbreak.

The article underscores the urgent need for proactive public health measures in Mexico, including increasing vaccination coverage and addressing misinformation about vaccines. As the situation continues to deteriorate, Lira calls on health officials and the government to take actionable steps to restore public trust in vaccinations and to prioritize community health over political agendas.