Canada has lost its measles-free status due to recent outbreaks, international health experts announced. This shift comes as vaccination rates for children drop, allowing the highly contagious virus to spread across North and South America.
So far this year, Canada has reported over 5,100 measles cases and two fatalities, both among premature babies exposed to the virus before birth. Achieving measles elimination is no small feat. Canada first reached this milestone in 1998, shortly followed by the U.S. in 2000, thanks to strong vaccination campaigns. These efforts made the Americas the first region to eliminate measles in 2016.
However, vaccination rates have fallen below the 95% threshold needed to prevent outbreaks. Large outbreaks in Venezuela and Brazil in 2018 and 2019 had already cost the region its elimination status once. Experts estimate that significant vaccination efforts have saved around 6.2 million lives in the Americas since 2000.
Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, the director of the Pan American Health Organization, remarked that eliminating measles is challenging but achievable. “As a region, we have done it twice, and we can do it again,” he stated.
Jennifer Nuzzo, an infectious disease expert from Brown University, expressed deep concerns about Canada’s loss of measles elimination status, pointing out that a country with Canada’s resources should not face such a setback.
Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known; just one person can spread it to up to 90% of unprotected individuals nearby. While most people recover from the illness, severe complications, including pneumonia and brain swelling, are more likely in young children and adults over 30.
Recent statistics reveal that nearly 12,600 measles cases have been confirmed in ten countries across the region this year, marking a stark increase from 2024. The majority of these cases are in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico, but countries like Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay also report ongoing outbreaks.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed about 1,681 cases this year — the highest annual rate in over thirty years. Current outbreaks include cases linked to conservative Mennonite communities, which may have low vaccination rates due to distrust of authorities and the influence of anti-vaccine disinformation.
The connection between these outbreaks reveals a complex interplay of vaccine hesitancy fueled by misinformation. Dr. Nuzzo notes that many people are not outright opposed to vaccines for religious reasons but may be influenced by fears and misconceptions spread online.
Health officials in Canada are currently working with community partners to improve vaccination coverage and address these challenges. They emphasize that vaccination is the most effective prevention strategy, providing 97% protection after two doses.
As the situation evolves, experts urge a return to routine vaccination to avert further outbreaks. The recent increase in measles cases serves as a pressing reminder of the importance of keeping immunization rates high to protect public health.
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Immunizations, Health, Disease outbreaks, Measles, World news, General news, Article, 127379798
