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3h ago

Canada Stripped of Measles Elimination Status After Yearlong Transmission

PAHO cited over a year of uninterrupted spread of one measles strain in under‑vaccinated communities, prompting a push to raise coverage and strengthen surveillance to regain certification.

A woman passes near healthy awareness posters related to the measles outbreak during a public health awareness campaign, at the Taber Health Centre, in the largely Mennonite community of Taber, Alberta, Canada, October 27, 2025. REUTERS/Ahmed Zakot
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Overview

  • PAHO’s Regional Verification Commission confirmed sustained transmission of the same measles strain for more than 12 months, ending Canada’s 27-year measles-free designation.
  • Health officials have tallied about 5,138 cases since October 2024, including two infant deaths following in‑utero infection.
  • Spread has persisted in under‑vaccinated pockets, including some conservative Mennonite communities, even as transmission slowed and Ontario declared its outbreak over in October.
  • The revocation also removes the Americas’ regional measles‑free status, though other countries retain their individual national certifications.
  • Genetic data link Canada’s strain to major outbreaks in Texas and Mexico’s Chihuahua; the U.S. has recorded 1,681 cases in 2025 and is at risk as Canada moves to expand vaccination, data sharing and surveillance to qualify for re‑verification after 12 months without spread.