Nearly 30 years after Canada was declared measles-free, the country has now lost that status as the disease continues to spread across North America.
On Nov. 10, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), a United Nations agency, announced that Canada no longer meets the requirements to be considered measles-free. The decision came after experts reviewed recent health data and confirmed that the same strain of measles has been spreading in Canada for more than a year.
Canada is now the only PAHO member country without measles-free status, and the decision has raised concerns that the United States and Mexico could lose their status next. Both countries have seen rising measles cases and falling vaccination rates. PAHO says the United States has until the end of January and Mexico until the end of February to stop ongoing spread.
“It’s a really unfortunate change,” said First Nation pharmacist Jaris Swidrovich. “A lot of this comes from misinformation and disinformation spreading quickly on social media.”
Swidrovich, who is Ukrainian and Saulteaux from Yellow Quill First Nation, is a pharmacist, professor, and Indigenous engagement lead at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Pharmacy.
Measles is extremely contagious and causes a rash, high fever, and coughing. It can also lead to serious problems such as pneumonia, brain swelling, hearing loss, and blindness. Two infants who were infected before birth have died during Canada’s current outbreak.
The Public Health Service of Canada said it will work to raise vaccination rates and improve data sharing. Health officials say about 95% of the population needs to be vaccinated to stop the virus from spreading.
Canada has reported more than 5,000 measles cases in 2025, mostly in “under-vaccinated communities” in Ontario and Alberta. To regain measles-free status, Canada must stop the spread of the virus for at least a year.
The U.S. has also reported related cases in Utah, Arizona, and South Carolina.
Why some people are suspicious
Swidrovich said social media misinformation is feeding anti-vaccine beliefs in Canada. But he added that in Indigenous communities, mistrust is also shaped by real history.
“Indigenous peoples were experimented on with the BCG vaccine for tuberculosis,” he said. “During the H1N1 pandemic, while the rest of Canada got sanitizer, masks, and vaccines, some Indigenous communities were sent body bags.”
In 2024, the Canadian Medical Association apologized to Indigenous peoples for medical harms, including experiments in residential schools where researchers studied malnutrition and withheld care. Adults were also subjected to medical experiments, including tests of new tuberculosis vaccines. The full extent of this history is still unknown.
Swidrovich added that discrimination in medicine continues today, including cases of forced or coerced sterilization of Indigenous women. “This is not just historical,” he said. “Indigenous people still die because of racism in the medical system.”
The COVID-19 pandemic also increased mistrust. For some, being prioritized for a brand-new vaccine felt unsafe.
“Even though I know why Indigenous peoples were prioritized, it still felt like we might be experimented on again,” Swidrovich said.
“Seek out trusted advice”
Although he understands the concerns, Swidrovich strongly supports vaccines. He says public health messaging must include Indigenous voices.
“We need to work together on all messaging about measles,” he said.
In Manitoba, where many Indigenous people live and where measles cases are rising, the province announced priority vaccinations for people evacuated during this year’s wildfires. Swidrovich noted that Indigenous peoples are often labelled “vulnerable,” but said that vulnerability is created by unequal conditions.
“Indigenous peoples aren’t naturally vulnerable,” he said. “They are made vulnerable by racism and lack of basic needs like safe drinking water.”
As Canada works to regain its measles-free status, he encourages people to rely on trustworthy medical sources.
“Don’t get medical information from comment sections or websites full of ads,” he said. “Pharmacists are great sources of up-to-date information.”
On average, patients see their pharmacist 14 times per year, compared to only two visits to a doctor.
“We’re everywhere, we’re accessible, and this is our area of expertise,” said Swidrovich. “Walk into a pharmacy or give one a call. You’ll be able to talk to a licensed professional who can give you advice tailored to your needs.”
