Recommitting to the eradication of measles

AI Summary

Canada lost its measles elimination status in November 2025 after a large outbreak associated with international transmission, with more than 5,000 reported cases during the year. The article argues that the resurgence exposes gaps in vaccination and public-health protections and calls for renewed efforts to eliminate measles.

Canada’s loss of measles elimination status is a troubling sign of a global trend in increasing susceptibility to infectious diseases. Even high income countries are struggling to control a disease that they once eliminated, raising serious questions about international efforts in protecting populations from dangerous pathogens. Amid a worldwide measles resurgence, Canada’s experience underscores the fragility of hard-won public health achievements and the need for countries to recommit to elimination, not only to prevent needless illness and death but also to strengthen defences against risk of infectious diseases more broadly.In November 2025, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) formally recognised that Canada had lost its measles elimination status, ending the country’s 27 year streak without sustained domestic transmission of the disease.1 After eliminating measles in 1998, Canada had mostly sporadic cases and occasional outbreaks. However, an internationally linked outbreak in 2024 led to more than 5000 reported cases in 2025.2...