Canada is at risk of losing its Measles Elimination Status. Canada established the status in 1998 through widespread vaccination using the Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine.
The almost 30 year old status is at risk after a measles outbreak happened in southwestern Ontario nearly a year ago. According to Public Health Ontario, on Oct. 14, 2024, a travel-related case from New Brunswick led to increased cases in Ontario.
“If the current chain of transmission continues beyond October 2025, Canada could lose its elimination status.”
The Middlesex – London Health Unit (MLHU) reported 57 cases since last outbreak. 52 of the cases did not have proper immunization to measles.
Measle cases, Source: Middlesex- London Health Unit
As of Oct. 2, 2025 PHO reported that 771 cases were from Southwestern Public Health, the most out of any health unit in Ontario. SWPH mainly covers the communities in Oxford County, Elgin County, and the City of St. Thomas.
Dr Joanne Kearon the associate medical officer of health at Middlesex-London Health Unit says, “This outbreak is partly due to decreasing vaccination rates particularly in some communities.”
“There has been a lot of work done during this outbreak to combat misinformation around the Measles vaccine.” This includes reinforcing the fact that “there is no link between the MMR and autism,” says Dr. Kearon.
“The measles vaccine is safe and effective and is the single step that is most effective in protecting yourself from Measles.”
Measles elimination status is important in Canada as it not only affects us but the entire region. Before the outbreak, “virtually all cases of measles in Canada were travel related,” as the virus is extremely contagious. If one country were to lose its status it would affect the status in others as well as the “global work of one day eradicating measles,” says Dr. Kearon.
