Canada Loses Measles-Free Status Amidst Year-Long Outbreak
Canada has relinquished its measles elimination status, a designation held since 1998, following a sustained outbreak that began in October 2024. The announcement came from Health Canada, citing notification from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) confirming over a year of continuous measles virus transmission within the country.
As of 2025, Canada has recorded 5,138 measles cases, with Ontario and alberta experiencing the highest numbers.Tragically, the outbreak has resulted in the deaths of two newborns, both born to unvaccinated mothers.
The resurgence is linked, in part, to lower vaccination rates within specific communities, notably some Mennonite Christian groups citing religious objections. Health Canada acknowledges that while transmission has recently slowed, the virus continues to circulate primarily within under-vaccinated populations.
PAHO requires a country to demonstrate the absence of sustained local transmission of the same measles strain for at least 12 months, alongside robust surveillance systems, to maintain measles-free status.
Provincial health ministers are currently collaborating on coordinated responses, including initiatives to enhance vaccine confidence through community engagement. Alberta officials report a notable decline in cases – over 90% from peak levels – and a 50% increase in vaccinations since March.
The loss of elimination status is a concerning development, highlighting a global trend of declining measles vaccination rates. Both the United States and Mexico have experienced considerable outbreaks this year, and several European nations are also facing similar challenges. The Americas region briefly regained measles-free status in 2024 after containing an outbreak in Brazil.
The United States faces a January 20th deadline to demonstrate it has halted the spread of a measles strain originating in Texas,and to prove any ongoing cases are unrelated to that initial outbreak. Government data indicates declining measles vaccination rates among kindergartners in the US.
The office of Canada’s Health minister Marjorie Michel declined to provide a statement. Requests for comment from Manitoba and Ontario, two provinces substantially impacted by the outbreak, were not instantly answered.
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory illness spread through respiratory droplets. Symptoms include fever, respiratory issues, and a characteristic rash, but the disease can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia, encephalitis, and even death.
