Measles resurgence in the Americas

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In November 2025, Canada lost its Measles Elimination Status after the virus had circulated for at least 12 months. [1] [2] [3] As a consequence, the Americas, the only measles free WHO region, also lost its measles elimination status. [3] [4] [5]

Contents

History

In 2016, the Americas were declared measles free. [6] [7]

In 2018, Venezuela lost its measles elimination status. [8] [9] [3]

In 2019, Brazil lost its measles elimination status. [8] [9] [3]

In 2024, the region regained its measles elimination status. [8] [9] [3]

"As of 7 November 2025, 12,596 confirmed measles cases have been reported across ten countries (approximately 95% of the Region’s cases in Canada, Mexico and US), a 30-fold increase compared to 2024." [3]

Canada

In 1998, Canada was declared measles free. [10] [11] [12]

In 2025, the virus had spread across every province (except Newfoundland and Labrador) as well as to the Northwest Territories with cases largely in Alberta and Ontario. [13] [14]

United States

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Statement from the Public Health Agency of Canada on Canada's Measles Elimination Status". Public Health Agency of Canada. 10 November 2025.
  2. ↑ "PAHO Director's Opening Remarks – PAHO Press Briefing – Reestablishment of endemic measles transmission in the Americas - Ncoovember 10, 2025 - PAHO/WHO". Pan American Health Organization . 10 November 2025. After reviewing all the epidemiological data from Canada, the commission concluded that Canada lost its measles-free verification.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "PAHO calls for regional action as the Americas lose measles elimination status - PAHO/WHO". Pan American Health Organization . 10 November 2025.
  4. ↑ Branswell, Helen (November 10, 2025). "Canada loses measles elimination status — as does the entire Americas region". STAT News . Archived from the original on November 10, 2025.
  5. ↑ Yousif, Nadine (10 November 2025). "Canada loses measles elimination status, with US on track to follow". the BBC .
  6. ↑ "Region of the Americas is declared free of measles - PAHO/WHO". Pan American Health Organization . 27 September 2016.
  7. ↑ Cole, Diane (28 September 2016). "The Americas Are Now Officially 'Measles-Free'". NPR .
  8. 1 2 3 "Measles and Rubella Elimination Regional Monitoring and Re-Verification Commission - PAHO/WHO". Pan American Health Organization .
  9. 1 2 3 Basilio, Humberto (November 10, 2025). "The Americas Are No Longer Officially Measles-Free". Scientific American .
  10. ↑ Northcott, Alison (May 24, 2025). "Canada achieved measles elimination status in 1998. Now, it could lose it". CBC News .
  11. ↑ Isai, Vjosa (November 10, 2025). "How Canada Lost Decades of Progress in Fighting Measles". The New York Times . Archived from the original on November 10, 2025.
  12. ↑ SHASTRI, DEVI (10 November 2025). "Canada loses measles elimination status after ongoing outbreaks". AP News .
  13. ↑ "Measles and Rubella Weekly Monitoring Report". health-infobase.canada.ca. Public Health Agency of Canada.
  14. ↑ Ljunggren, David; Steenhuysen, Julie (10 November 2025). "Canada loses measles elimination status after three decades". Reuters . The country has recorded more than 5,000 measles cases in nine of its 10 provinces and one northern territory.
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