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4h ago

Canada Poised to Lose Measles Elimination Status After Yearlong Outbreak

PAHO will assess Canada's standing next week following 12 months of continuous transmission tied to an under‑vaccinated cluster that began in New Brunswick.

© Jan Sonnenmair via Getty Images
Warning signage for suspected cases of measles is seen outside the main entrance of Woodstock General Hospital in Woodstock, Ont. in May of 2025. After a year of sustained community transmission of measles in Canada, the country is on the verge of losing its measles elimination status.
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Overview

  • Canada has surpassed the WHO’s 12‑month threshold for continuous local measles transmission, with more than 5,000 cases since October 2024 largely linked to the New Brunswick outbreak.
  • PAHO’s Measles and Rubella commission meets next week in Mexico City to decide whether to revoke Canada’s measles‑free designation, which would trigger a corrective plan to regain it.
  • Recent reporting shows 19 new Canadian cases in the week of October 18 and 136 recent cases across five jurisdictions, indicating transmission continues.
  • The outbreak has led to hundreds of hospitalizations and two infant deaths, with most cases in people unvaccinated or under‑vaccinated; Alberta’s second‑dose MMR coverage fell to about 72% by age 7.
  • The United States has logged roughly 1,596–1,650 cases in 2025, including three deaths, and experts warn its status could be at risk in 2026, though a loss is unlikely at next week’s PAHO review.