On 10 November 2025, the revocation of Canada’s measles elimination status was announced by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). This is due to the occurrence of an ongoing endemic measles outbreak that has lasted for more than a year.
The outbreak began in October 2024 in the province of New Brunswick and spread nationwide, leading to 5,162 cases. Two deaths have been reported for 2025 as of 1 November, according to the Canadian government. This loss is significant as the country had held its measles elimination status since 1998.
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A major reason why the number of measles infections is increasing is Canada’s declining measles vaccination rates – a trend that has been observed in numerous countries worldwide. According to vaccine coverage statistics from the government of Canada, vaccination coverage rates for the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine for 2-year-old children in the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, and Yukon decreased from 89.5% in 2019 to 82.5% in 2023. This is significant as a vaccination coverage rate of 95% or more is required to protect communities from measles outbreaks.
A high vaccination coverage is required as measles is an extremely contagious disease that spreads via airborne transmission (breathing, coughing and sneezing). According to the World Health Organization, the virus responsible for measles transmission can remain infectious in the air or on surfaces for up to two hours after initial contact. One infected individual is capable of transmitting the infection to 9 out of 10 non-vaccinated individuals with whom they are in close contact.
Measles begins with cold-like symptoms and small white spots inside the cheeks, followed by a rash a few days later. Complications, which are most common in children under five and adults above 30, include blindness, encephalitis and pneumonia. There are no specific treatment options for pneumonia. This picture emphasises the importance of achieving the recommended vaccination threshold to prevent measles outbreaks.
As a result of its lost elimination status, Canada will now implement an action plan under PAHO’s regional framework to improve surveillance, outbreak responses and vaccine uptake for measles in an effort to halt the outbreak. GlobalData epidemiologists forecast that in Canada, the total population vaccinated for measles with four or more doses in boys and girls aged two years old will decrease from 333,000 cases in 2025 to 331,000 cases in 2028.
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By GlobalData
