TORONTO — The Public Health Agency of Canada says the country has officially lost its measles elimination status, which it had held since 1998.
The federal agency says the Pan American Health Organization revoked the status after confirming there has been ongoing transmission of the same strain of measles for more than one year.
The outbreak began in New Brunswick in October 2024 and spread to other provinces, infecting more than 5,000 people in Canada.
PHAC says that transmission has recently slowed but the country still surpassed the 12-month mark of community transmission, primarily within under-vaccinated communities.
The federal agency says it’s working to co-ordinate actions with PAHO along with federal, provincial and territorial partners to boost vaccination coverage, strengthen data sharing, and in doing so, enable better surveillance and evidence-based guidance.
PAHO, the World Health Organization’s regional office for countries in North and South America, reviewed Canada’s recent epidemiological and laboratory data to make the decision on its elimination status.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 10, 2025.
Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content.
Hannah Alberga, The Canadian Press
