Measles Makes a Comeback: What Went Wrong in Canada?

Canada is back to square one in its fight against measles. After successfully eliminating the virus in 1998, the country has now lost its measles-free status. This means the virus is spreading on its own again, not just popping up from travelers. Experts from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) made this call after looking at the data. They found that measles has been spreading in Canada for over a year. This is a big deal because it also means the entire Americas region has lost its measles elimination status, which it earned in 2016. Measles is considered eliminated when there's no continuous spread for a year. But if it keeps spreading for more than that, it becomes endemic again. Canada's outbreak started in October 2024 in New Brunswick and has since spread across the country. As of November 1, there have been 5, 162 cases this year alone. So, how did this happen? Well, vaccination rates have dropped in some areas. Misinformation and anti-vaccine messages have made some people hesitant to get their kids vaccinated. While most parents still vaccinate their children, there are pockets of low vaccination rates. These areas become easy targets for the virus to spread. But there's hope. Canada can regain its elimination status with coordinated efforts. The Public Health Agency of Canada is already working with partners to improve vaccination rates and surveillance. Other countries like Venezuela and Brazil have faced similar setbacks but managed to contain the outbreaks. Measles isn't just a problem in Canada. The US and Mexico are also dealing with outbreaks. Together, these three countries account for about 95% of the measles cases in the Americas. This is a 30-fold increase compared to last year, and it has already caused at least 28 deaths. PAHO is urging all countries to step up their efforts. They're calling for better vaccination rates, stronger surveillance, and quick responses to suspected cases. The goal is to eliminate measles for good, not just temporarily.