Canada Loses Measles Elimination Status According to Ottawa Report
Canada has officially lost its measles elimination status after nearly 30 years, according to a recent report from its public health agency. This decision comes as a result of a prolonged outbreak that has persisted for over a year, primarily affecting under-vaccinated communities.
Measles Outbreak Overview
As of now, Canada has recorded over 5,000 cases of measles across nine provinces and one northern territory. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) indicated that Canada no longer qualifies for elimination status, thus impacting the entire Americas region.
Contributing Factors
Health professionals attribute this surge in cases to declining vaccination rates, which have been exacerbated by increased skepticism toward vaccines following the COVID-19 pandemic. Experts fear that this may signal a resurgence of other preventable diseases.
Measles Elimination Criteria
- Countries experiencing an outbreak must report zero cases within 12 months to be deemed measles-free.
Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, described the loss of elimination status as a regression, warning that it could bring back attitudes reminiscent of earlier, less informed times regarding public health.
Future Actions and Responses
The Public Health Agency of Canada plans to enhance vaccination coverage and improve surveillance efforts. This includes increased data sharing and bolstering communication strategies.
Regional Outlook
This year, both the United States and Mexico have faced significant measles outbreaks, registering thousands of cases and several deaths. Notably, the Americas region had just regained its measles-free status in 2024 after successfully managing an outbreak in Brazil.
The federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel’s office declined to comment on the situation as did health ministries from Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario, which are among the provinces most affected by the outbreak.
