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Measles Outbreak Costs Canada Its Elimination Status
10 Nov
Summary
- Canada loses measles-free status due to ongoing outbreaks
- Vaccination rates fall below 95% needed to stop outbreaks
- Measles spreads across North and South America, affecting Mennonite communities
As of November 10th, 2025, Canada has lost its measles elimination status due to ongoing outbreaks of the highly contagious virus. The country has logged 5,138 measles cases and two deaths this year, with the virus spreading across North and South America.
Measles elimination is a symbolic designation, but it represents a hard-won battle against the infectious disease. It is earned when a country shows it has stopped continuous spread of the virus within local communities. However, Canada's recent outbreaks have demonstrated the virus has been spreading continuously for over a year, leading international health experts to revoke the country's measles-free status.
The loss of elimination status comes as vaccination rates have fallen below the 95% coverage rate needed to stop outbreaks. Large outbreaks in Venezuela and Brazil in 2018 and 2019 had previously cost the Americas region its elimination status, which was only reclaimed in 2024. Now, with Canada's loss, the region faces a resurgence of the disease, with Mennonite communities across multiple countries affected by the same genetic strain of the virus.
