Canada is no longer measles-free, that’s the conclusion of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). This defeat is an extraordinary victory for the nation. It is the first time in 27 years it has lost this designation, which it first received in 1998. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recently told PHAC there has been a very important shift. This policy shift follows an outbreak that has exceeded 12 months of duration.
The outbreak started last October when one international traveler went to a wedding in New Brunswick. As of October 25, Canada has seen more than 5,000 cases of measles. Of those cases, about 84% have originated from Ontario and Alberta. The same strain of the measles virus has infected people in nine provinces and one territory.
Even Ontario, which was under a similar outbreak for nearly a year, declared its deliberation over about a month ago. In comparison, Alberta is currently reporting two active cases—which has been the case for several weeks now. Currently, only two people are hospitalized due to complications from the virus. Despite this, the overall number of concurrent hospitalizations has never exceeded five at a time.
The decision to revoke Canada’s measles elimination status came after a careful review of the country’s epidemiological data by PHAC. Dr. Daniel Salas explained the implications of this status change:
“Once a country loses the verification status, it takes one year after that change of the status for a country to regain that status again.”
This is why health officials from the AMA to the CDC call for urgent, full-throated action to tackle this crisis.
Dr. Jarbas Barbosa elaborated on the contagious nature of measles:
“Vaccine preventable diseases are an ongoing threat that can and will re-emerge if we let our guard down. A recent outbreak of measles in Ontario has unfortunately highlighted how quickly previously controlled diseases can spread.”
Given these recent developments, PAHO are recommending that, to reach vulnerable populations, Canada needs to invest in tailored communication campaigns to engage vaccine-hesitant communities. In addition, they propose creation of a national electronic immunization registry. This will reduce the burden on immunization efforts and allow for quicker and better public health responses.
“Measles is the most contagious virus known to humankind. One infected person can transmit the disease to up to 18 others. Thanks to vaccines, most people have never seen an outbreak in their lifetime.”
As Canada navigates this challenging situation, Health Minister Marjorie Michel’s spokesperson affirmed that she is closely monitoring the circumstances:
Our recent loss of measles elimination status is glaringly evident of shortcomings and fragile nature of our public health infrastructure that warrants immediate attention. It reinforces the need for strong vaccination programs and community engagement to protect against future outbreaks. The country will need to focus on breaking the ongoing outbreak for 12 or more months to return to its previous status.
“Minister Michel is following the situation closely, and working with [the Public Health Agency of Canada], as well as her provincial and territorial counterparts, so Canada can re-establish its measles elimination status.”
The loss of measles elimination status serves as a crucial reminder of the vulnerabilities present in public health systems. It highlights the necessity for robust vaccination programs and community engagement to prevent further outbreaks. The country must strive to interrupt the current outbreak for at least 12 months to regain its former status.
