The Public Health Agency of Canada announced Monday that Canada has lost measles elimination status.
The statement comes as Canada grapples with a “major measles outbreak in multiple jurisdictions” that began last October. Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories have all reported cases.
“The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has notified the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) that Canada no longer maintains measles elimination status,” the PHAC statement said.
PAHO is the World Health Organization's regional office for the countries of the Americas.
PAHO's Measles and Rubella Eradication Regional Surveillance and Review Committee reviewed recent epidemiological and laboratory data and found “sustained transmission of the same measles virus strain in Canada for more than a year,” PHAC said.
The Canadian government agency said it is working with PAHO and federal, provincial and territorial governments on increasing vaccine uptake in Canada.
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Last month, Canadian health ministers were briefed on the measles situation in Canada.
Canada can reestablish measles elimination status if transmission of measles strains associated with the current outbreak is disrupted for at least 12 months, PHAC said.
PHAC said the measles vaccine is the best way to protect you and your family from the spread of the disease.
As of October 25, 2025, a total of 5,138 measles cases (4,777 confirmed, 361 probable) have been reported from 10 jurisdictions (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan).
PHAC announced that 29 new cases were reported between October 19th and 25th. Two deaths have been reported in Canada (one in Alberta and one in Ontario), both in infants who were infected with measles before birth.
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Canada eliminated measles in 1998 and remained so for more than 25 years. This means there is no ongoing community transmission and new cases are associated with travel.
Public health and infectious disease experts believe the measles resurgence is due to vaccine hesitancy fueled by misinformation and distrust of science, as well as low vaccination rates due to disruptions to routine immunizations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) said it is “disappointed and deeply concerned” by Canada's loss of measles exclusion status.
“CMA agrees with the Public Health Agency of Canada. The measles vaccine is the best way to protect you and your family. We urge Canadians to roll up their sleeves to protect themselves, their loved ones and their communities,” CMA President Dr. Margot Burnell said in a statement.
“Obviously false health information is becoming the norm and is causing serious harm to patients, communities and health policy,” Burnell warned, urging Canadians to seek guidance from trusted health care providers, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists and local public health clinics.
Other countries around the world, including the United States, are also seeing a resurgence in measles cases.
PAHO said the outbreak in the United States did not begin until January of this year, so there is still some time before the virus is at risk of losing the exclusion status it achieved in 2000.
–With files from Canadian Press
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