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2026-10-19 22:53 UTC → 2026-10-21 02:52 UTC ·
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Canada measles outbreak concluded
A multi-year measles outbreak across The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has officially concluded. The declared the end of the two-year measles outbreak that began in New Brunswick in October 2024 and eventually spread to 10 provinces, infecting 2024. The declaration follows more than 6,400 people. Due to continuous transmission for over 12 months, Canada lost its measles elimination status. In Manitoba, a specific provincewide outbreak that began in February 2025 was declared over after no two months without any new laboratory-confirmed cases were identified since August. This regional surge accounted for nearly two-thirds linked to the outbreak. Throughout the period of all Canadian transmission, 6,417 cases at its peak in May 2026, involving 1,038 documented cases. The Manitoba outbreak resulted in 52 hospitalizations, though no deaths were recorded across ten provinces and territories. Ontario reported in that province. Nationally, the highest number of infections with 2,390 cases, followed by Alberta with 2,299 and Manitoba with 1,033. The outbreak resulted in the deaths of two infants in Ontario and Alberta who were infected in utero. Health experts attributed Due to sustained transmission, Canada lost its global measles elimination status in November 2025. To regain this status, the resurgence Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) requires Canada to declining vaccination rates, vaccine hesitancy fueled by misinformation, maintain zero transmission for at least 12 months and immunization disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. While the outbreak demonstrate improved surveillance and response capabilities. Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Joss Reimer has ended, health officials cautioned urged citizens to maintain up-to-date vaccinations, noting that the disease remains a global threat due virus continues to travel-related cases. circulate globally.