Canada declares two-year measles outbreak over; Alberta's ended in July
The Public Health Agency of Canada says a nationwide measles outbreak that began in October 2024 has officially ended after infecting more than 6,400 people across 10 provinces.
Why it matters
Alberta recorded cases and an infant death during the outbreak, and officials warn new travel-related cases could still emerge.
The Public Health Agency of Canada announced Monday that the measles outbreak that began in New Brunswick in October 2024 is over, after more than 6,400 infections were recorded across 10 provinces over two years. Two infants, one in Ontario and one in Alberta, died after being infected with measles in the womb.
The sustained transmission caused Canada to lose its measles elimination status roughly a year into the outbreak, after the virus circulated domestically for more than 12 months. Ontario, one of the hardest-hit provinces, declared its own outbreak over last fall, while Alberta's ended in July. Manitoba reported its last lab-confirmed case in August.
Canada's Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Joss Reimer, said the declaration is encouraging but does not mean measles has disappeared, noting the disease continues to circulate globally and travel-related cases are expected to keep appearing in Canada.
Infectious disease experts cited declining vaccination rates, misinformation-driven vaccine hesitancy, distrust of authority, and disruptions to routine immunizations during the COVID-19 pandemic as factors behind the resurgence of measles.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.