Canada recently lost its measles elimination status. This alarming outbreak continues because of major loopholes in public health protections and has lasted more than a year. This outbreak has led to over 5,000 confirmed infections across the country and counting. Sadly, two premature infants died after becoming infected with measles in utero. This very dangerous and communicable disease is returning to our communities and that should alarm everyone. It’s not only a challenge for Canada alone — it is jeopardizing global health efforts towards immunization.
As the World Health Organization (WHO) has recently announced, 2024 has seen a dramatic increase in measles cases. Death from measles most often occurs in children under five years of age, a reminder of the high vulnerability of this age group [1]. Dr. Brian Ward, an infectious diseases microbiologist, was at the front lines responding to this outbreak in Canada. He estimated that at least four or five children in Canada would have experienced serious complications from the virus.
Impact of the Outbreak on Public Health
Maria Van Kerkhove, the acting director of WHO’s department of epidemic and pandemic management, told CBC News earlier this month. Here’s what she had to say about the state of things. She stated, “They still haven’t left yet, but it’s been pretty significant,” referring to the ongoing challenges posed by the outbreak.
The outbreak’s implications extend beyond individual health. It jeopardizes Canada’s previously held measles elimination status. Public health experts continue to highlight the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine. For perspective, two doses provide nearly 95% protection against the disease, according to Pfizer, Moderna, and independent experts. But sadly, as vaccination coverage has declined, we have witnessed a tragic surge in cases.
Challenges in Vaccination Efforts
Dr. Kate O’Brien, WHO’s director of immunization, vaccines, and biologicals, described the moment with compelling language. As she said, measles is the “fire alarm for immunization programs.” This realization highlights the importance of strong vaccination campaigns both in response to and in order to prevent outbreaks. Dr. Ward has suggested that Canada can regain its measles elimination status by improving communication strategies and building trust within undervaccinated communities.
He further advocated for a more efficient dialogue regarding vaccines: “If we tell that person they have 2½ minutes to talk to somebody about something as important as vaccines, we’re shooting ourselves in the kneecaps.” This underscores the many difficulties involved in tackling vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.
The WHO’s report on measles does not include Canada’s recent cases for 2024, raising concerns about the accuracy of global data concerning this disease. The U.S. and Mexico have reported significant measles outbreaks in 2025, indicating a regional challenge that needs urgent attention.
Path Forward
To halt the resurgence of this dangerous disease, public health officials should focus on getting people vaccinated. Meeting these coverage rates is critical to preventing future outbreaks. We heard from experts that improving community engagement and combating misinformation will be critical in taking steps toward restoring public confidence in vaccines.
