Canada’s Measles Elimination Status Affected
Jarbas Barbosa, the director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), addressed the situation in a press briefing on Monday, saying, “This loss represents a setback, of course, but it is also reversible.”
Call to Action
Barbosa expressed optimism about Canada potentially regaining its elimination status, noting that other countries have faced similar challenges in the past. For instance, he pointed out that Venezuela and Brazil temporarily lost their elimination status due to significant outbreaks in 2018 and 2019. “However, with joint efforts from governments, civil society, and regional cooperation, those outbreaks were contained, and the Americas regained its measles-free status in 2024,” he added.
On Monday, the Public Health Agency of Canada announced it had received notification from PAHO regarding its loss of measles elimination status, but also stated it is already taking steps to recover it. According to the agency, “PHAC is collaborating with PAHO and working with federal, provincial, territorial, and community partners to implement coordinated actions—focused on improving vaccination coverage, strengthening data sharing, enabling better overall surveillance efforts, and providing evidence-based guidance.”
Nevertheless, Canada isn’t alone in its challenges against measles, known for being the most infectious virus. The United States and Mexico are currently facing ongoing outbreaks as well. So far, the US has recorded at least 1,618 cases this year, while Mexico has reported approximately 5,185 cases. Outbreaks are also occurring in Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Belize, according to PAHO.
As of November 7, PAHO reports a total of 12,593 confirmed measles cases across 10 countries, with nearly 95 percent of these cases in Canada, Mexico, and the US. This marks a staggering 30-fold increase from 2024, leading to at least 28 fatalities: 23 in Mexico, three in the United States, and two in Canada.
The PAHO has leveraged Canada’s loss as a rallying call for not only the country but for the entire region. Barbosa stated, “Every case we prevent, every outbreak we stop saves lives, protects families, and makes communities healthier. Today, rather than lamenting the loss of a regional status, we call on all countries to redouble their efforts to strengthen vaccination rates, surveillance, and timely response to suspected cases—reaching every corner of the Americas. As a Region, we have eliminated measles twice. We can do it a third time.”
