Canada Loses Measles-Free Status as Americas Face Resurgent Outbreaks
Washington, D.C. – Canada has officially lost its measles elimination status, the Pan American health Organization (PAHO) announced Monday, marking a significant setback in regional public health efforts. The highly contagious virus, eliminated in Canada as 1998, is now considered endemic within the country, mirroring a worrying trend across the Americas.
the loss follows a surge in cases throughout the region, with PAHO reporting 12,593 confirmed measles cases from 10 countries as of November 7 - a thirty-fold increase compared to all of 2024. The vast majority of these cases – approximately 95 percent - are concentrated in Canada, the United States, and Mexico. This rise has tragically resulted in at least 28 deaths: 23 in Mexico, three in the United States, and two in Canada.
“This loss represents a setback, of course, but it is indeed also reversible,” stated PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa during a press briefing. He pointed to previous instances of countries regaining elimination status, citing Venezuela and Brazil, which temporarily lost theirs in 2018 and 2019 following large outbreaks. “Thanks to coordinated action by governments, civil society, and regional cooperation, those outbreaks were contained, and the Region of the Americas regained its measles-free status in 2024.”
The Public health Agency of Canada (PHAC) confirmed receiving notification from PAHO and pledged immediate action. “PHAC is collaborating with the PAHO and working with federal, provincial, territorial, and community partners to implement coordinated actions-focused on improving vaccination coverage, strengthening data sharing, enabling better overall surveillance efforts, and providing evidence-based guidance,” the agency said in a statement.
Canada is not alone in battling the resurgence. The United States has documented at least 1,618 measles cases this year, while Mexico has reported at least 5,185. Outbreaks are also ongoing in Bolivia,Brazil,Paraguay,and Belize.
Despite the current challenges, PAHO remains optimistic about regaining regional control.”Every case we prevent, every outbreak we stop saves lives, protects families, and makes communities healthier,” Barbosa emphasized. “Today, rather than lamenting the loss of a regional status, we call on all countries to redouble their efforts to strengthen vaccination rates, surveillance, and timely response to suspected cases-reaching every corner of the Americas. As a Region, we have eliminated measles twice. we can do it a third time.”
