Canada lost its measles elimination status on Monday after the Pan American Health Organization determined the country failed to control a year-long outbreak, as more than 5,000 cases were recorded across nine provinces and one territory.

BBC News

CTVNews

Fox 59

Canada lost its measles elimination status on Monday after the Pan American Health Organization determined the country failed to control a year-long outbreak, as more than 5,000 cases were recorded across nine provinces and one territory.

The outbreak began in October 2024 when an infected traveler attended a wedding in New Brunswick and subsequently spread to most Canadian provinces, except Newfoundland and Labrador, Nunavut and Yukon.

Toronto Star

Vancouver Sun

Breitbart

The outbreak began in October 2024 when an infected traveler attended a wedding in New Brunswick and subsequently spread to most Canadian provinces, except Newfoundland and Labrador, Nunavut and Yukon.

Two infants died from the outbreak after being exposed to measles in the womb and born prematurely. Health officials confirmed cases concentrated among Mennonite, Amish and other communities with low immunization rates.

Guardian

Newsmax

Two infants died from the outbreak after being exposed to measles in the womb and born prematurely. Health officials confirmed cases concentrated among Mennonite, Amish and other communities with low immunization rates.

Canada's vaccination coverage dropped from 89.5% in 2019 to 82.5% by 2023, falling below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity against the highly contagious virus, which can linger in the air for up to two hours.

Al Jazeera

The Telegraph

Canada's vaccination coverage dropped from 89.5% in 2019 to 82.5% by 2023, falling below the 95% threshold needed for herd immunity against the highly contagious virus, which can linger in the air for up to two hours.

Canada eliminated measles in 1998, followed by the U.S. two years later. Between 2000 and 2023, health officials estimate that measles vaccination prevented 6.2 million deaths across the region.

ETHealthworld.com

Canada eliminated measles in 1998, followed by the U.S. two years later. Between 2000 and 2023, health officials estimate that measles vaccination prevented 6.2 million deaths across the region.

The loss of Canada's status caused the entire Americas region to lose its measles-free designation. The U.S. has also experienced major outbreaks this year and is now at risk of losing its measles elimination status.

The Conversation

The loss of Canada's status caused the entire Americas region to lose its measles-free designation. The U.S. has also experienced major outbreaks this year and is now at risk of losing its measles elimination status.

Canada lost its measles elimination status on Monday after the Pan American Health Organization determined the country failed to control a year-long outbreak, with more than 5,000 cases recorded across nine provinces and one territory.</span

BBC News #

CTVNews #

Canada lost its measles elimination status on Monday after the Pan American Health Organization determined the country failed to control a year-long outbreak, with more than 5,000 cases recorded across nine provinces and one territory.

The outbreak began in October 2024 when an infected traveler attended a wedding in New Brunswick, subsequently spreading to most Canadian provinces except Newfoundland and Labrador, Nunavut and Yukon.</span

Toronto Star #

Vancouver Sun #

The outbreak began in October 2024 when an infected traveler attended a wedding in New Brunswick, subsequently spreading to most Canadian provinces except Newfoundland and Labrador, Nunavut and Yukon.

Two infants died from the outbreak after being exposed to measles in the womb and born prematurely, while health officials confirmed cases concentrated among Mennonite, Amish and other communities with low immunization rates.</span

Guardian #2788

Two infants died from the outbreak after being exposed to measles in the womb and born prematurely, while health officials confirmed cases concentrated among Mennonite, Amish and other communities with low immunization rates.

Canada's vaccination coverage dropped from 89.5 percent in 2019 to 82.5 percent by 2023, falling below the 95 percent threshold needed for herd immunity against the highly contagious virus that can linger in air for two hours.</span

NBC #2687

Al Jazeera #

Canada's vaccination coverage dropped from 89.5 percent in 2019 to 82.5 percent by 2023, falling below the 95 percent threshold needed for herd immunity against the highly contagious virus that can linger in air for two hours.

The loss of Canada's status caused the entire Americas region to lose its measles-free designation, though individual countries maintain their elimination status while facing active outbreaks in Mexico, the United States and other nations.</span

The loss of Canada's status caused the entire Americas region to lose its measles-free designation, though individual countries maintain their elimination status while facing active outbreaks in Mexico, the United States and other nations.

Health experts attributed declining vaccination rates to growing distrust of healthcare providers following COVID-19, spread of anti-vaccine misinformation, and reduced access to general healthcare during pandemic lockdowns.</span

Health experts attributed declining vaccination rates to growing distrust of healthcare providers following COVID-19, spread of anti-vaccine misinformation, and reduced access to general healthcare during pandemic lockdowns.

Canada's measles outbreak shows the system working as intended. Health officials quickly coordinated across all levels of government, implemented evidence-based responses and slowed transmission through strong public health measures. The vaccine remains highly effective and restoration efforts are already underway.

Canada's measles outbreak shows the system working as intended. Health officials quickly coordinated across all levels of government, implemented evidence-based responses and slowed transmission through strong public health measures. The vaccine remains highly effective and restoration efforts are already underway.</span

Canada.ca

Canada.ca #

Statement from the Public Health Agency of Canada on Canadas Measles Elimination Status

Canada's loss of measles-free status after nearly three decades represents a devastating and embarrassing public health failure. Vaccination rates have plummeted to dangerous levels, the outbreak spread to over 5,000 cases nationwide and the collapse exposes critical weaknesses in surveillance systems.

Canada's loss of measles-free status after nearly three decades represents a devastating and embarrassing public health failure. Vaccination rates have plummeted to dangerous levels, the outbreak spread to over 5,000 cases nationwide and the collapse exposes critical weaknesses in surveillance systems.</span

Ottawa Citizen

Ottawa Citizen #

'Embarrassing and sad': Canada loses measles elimination status after nearly 30 years

Canada Loses Measles-Free Status After 5,000+ Cases

Canada

Diseases & conditions

Health

To lose this elimination status is devastating and sad. However, health officials have been coordinating across all levels of government, implementing evidence-based responses and slowing transmission through strong public health measures. The vaccine remains highly effective and restoration efforts are already underway.

To lose this elimination status is devastating and sad. However, health officials have been coordinating across all levels of government, implementing evidence-based responses and slowing transmission through strong public health measures. The vaccine remains highly effective and restoration efforts are already underway.

Global News

Canada can regain its measles elimination status. Heres how - National

Timothy Caulfield

Bluesky Social

@caulfieldtim.bsky.social on Bluesky

Canada's loss of measles-free status is an embarrassing public health failure. Vaccination rates have plummeted to dangerous levels, and the collapse exposes critical weaknesses in surveillance systems. Attributing the public health failure solely to vaccine misinformation overlooks and excuses the role that those in power played in contributing to it.

Canada's loss of measles-free status is an embarrassing public health failure. Vaccination rates have plummeted to dangerous levels, and the collapse exposes critical weaknesses in surveillance systems. Attributing the public health failure solely to vaccine misinformation overlooks and excuses the role that those in power played in contributing to it.

National Post

'National embarrassment': Canada is no longer a country that has eliminated measles

Andrea Dekeseredy

AndieWinnipeg

There's a 50% chance that at least 738 measles cases will be reported in the U.S. in 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

There's a 50% chance that at least 738 measles cases will be reported in the U.S. in 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Canada Loses Measles-Free Status After 27 Years

Canada Loses Measles-Free Status After 5,000+27 CasesYears

The Spin

Metaculus Prediction

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Canada Loses Measles-Free Status After 27 Years

Canada Loses Measles-Free Status After 5,000+27 CasesYears

The Spin

Metaculus Prediction

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