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Measles outbreaks surge across North America amid declining vaccination rates FAST-MOVING
Measles outbreaks are surging across North America, prompting urgent public health warnings in Canada and the United States.
In British Columbia, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry reported 52 cases this year, with 30 individuals requiring hospitalization. The majority of cases have occurred in the Northern Health region. Officials are reminding families to complete immunization schedules ahead of the new school year to prevent further community spread.
In the United States, the situation is similarly critical. Pennsylvania has confirmed 379 cases across 28 counties, leading to updated vaccination guidance for infants and children. Health officials in Pennsylvania also reported two deaths among unvaccinated residents, including an infant. In Maryland, outbreaks have been declared in three counties, with 31 total cases recorded in 2026.
National data indicates that the U.S. has seen over 3,000 confirmed cases as of mid-August 2026, the highest in over three decades. Experts attribute the rise to declining vaccination rates, noting that kindergarten MMR vaccination rates have fallen to 92.4 percent, below the 95 percent threshold required for herd immunity.
Entities
Angela Alsobrooks · Bonnie Henry · British Columbia · Dr. Meena Seshamani · Maryland · Maryland Department of Health · Pennsylvania Department of Health · Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Two unvaccinated people, including an infant, have died from measles in Pennsylvania. www.socialnews.xyz · www.staradvertiser.com
- [● 12 SOURCES] Thirty people in British Columbia were hospitalized due to measles this year. burnslakelakesdistrictnews.com · interior-news.com · kimberleybulletin.com · quesnelobserver.com · abbynews.com · +7 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Kindergarten MMR vaccination rates in the U.S. dropped to 92.4 percent for the 2025–2026 school year. www.world-today-news.com
- [● 12 SOURCES] In British Columbia, 52 people have reported being sick with measles this year. burnslakelakesdistrictnews.com · interior-news.com · kimberleybulletin.com · quesnelobserver.com · abbynews.com · +7 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Pennsylvania has confirmed 379 measles cases across 28 counties between April and August 21, 2026. globalbiodefense.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Maryland has recorded 31 confirmed measles cases in 2026. conduitstreet.mdcounties.org
- [● 12 SOURCES] British Columbia has recorded 489 measles cases since the beginning of 2025. burnslakelakesdistrictnews.com · interior-news.com · kimberleybulletin.com · quesnelobserver.com · abbynews.com · +7 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The two-dose MMR vaccine is 97 percent effective at preventing measles. www.world-today-news.com