Canada Sees Rise in Measles Cases
Canada Sees Sharp Rise in Measles Cases, Health Agency Urges Vaccination
Canada is experiencing a significant rise in measles cases this year, with more infections reported in the first two months of 2025 than in all of last year, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) said on Thursday. The agency is urging citizens to get vaccinated to curb the outbreak.
As of March 6, PHAC has recorded 227 measles cases, many requiring hospitalization. The majority of infections have occurred in unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children exposed in community settings such as social events, daycares, schools, and healthcare facilities.
Unvaccinated individuals traveling to or from regions where measles is prevalent have also contributed to the rise in cases. Last year, Canada reported a total of 146 measles cases, according to government data.
In the week ending February 15 alone, there were 96 confirmed cases of measles, a highly contagious airborne virus that can lead to severe complications and even death. The surge is linked to outbreaks in New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec, and Manitoba, PHAC reported.
The agency also noted that recent cases in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia resulted from travelers exposed to measles abroad. It reiterated the importance of vaccination as the most effective means of protection.
The outbreak follows a tragic incident in the U.S. last week, where an unvaccinated child died of measles in Texas amid one of the country’s largest outbreaks in a decade.
