Measles alert urges countries to vaccinate more, including Canada

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Posted February 4, 2026 11:21 am

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'Looking back at Canada’s response to the measles outbreak'

2:30 Looking back at Canada’s response to the measles outbreak

Since 1998, Canada has retained measles elimination status, a designation given through the Pan American Health Organization. But in the fall of 2025, that changed as the country could not get case counts and transmission under control in time. Health reporter Katherine Ward spoke with public health officials to reflect on the challenging year of measles and what happens next. – Dec 30, 2025

A new epidemiological alert is urging countries, including Canada, to “prioritize strengthening routine surveillance and vaccination activities and to ensure a rapid and timely response to suspected cases” of measles.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) noted on Wednesday that Canada had seen 5,436 measles cases in 2025, two of which were fatal.

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“The sharp increase in measles cases in the Americas Region during 2025 and early 2026 is a warning sign that requires immediate and coordinated action by Member States,” the organization said.

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Canada lost its measles elimination status last year.

More to come.

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