Canada Faces Loss of Measles-Free Status Amid Widespread Outbreak

Canada is on the verge of losing its international status as a measles-free country after an outbreak starting in New Brunswick spread nationwide and has persisted for over a year, marking continuous local transmission. The country had eliminated measles in 1998 and maintained that status for more than 25 years, with no ongoing community transmission until the recent outbreak infected over 5,000 people, including two infants who died after in-womb infection. Public health experts attribute the resurgence to declining vaccination rates driven by misinformation, vaccine hesitancy, distrust of science, and disruptions to routine immunizations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), the regional office of the World Health Organization for the Americas, will review Canada's elimination status in November; a country loses this status if sustained transmission continues for more than 12 months. The United States is also experiencing a measles resurgence but has not yet reached the 12-month continuous transmission threshold to risk losing its status. Experts emphasize the need for Canada to demonstrate no ongoing transmission and robust public health systems to regain and maintain measles elimination status, while countries that lose this status must implement corrective actions including intensified vaccination and surveillance efforts.