Canada has officially lost its measles-free status, marking a major setback in the global fight against the contagious disease, health officials confirmed on Monday, November 10, 2025. The development comes amid a worrying rise in vaccine hesitancy and cross-border infections, with experts warning that the United States may soon follow if current trends persist.
According to CBC News, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) announced that the country no longer meets the World Health Organization’s (WHO) criteria for measles elimination, after several uncontained outbreaks were reported across multiple provinces in 2025. The outbreaks have been linked to international travel and declining childhood immunization rates, particularly in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia.
Global News reports that Canada had maintained its measles-free certification since 2016, but the recent resurgence — fueled by misinformation about vaccines and pandemic-era disruptions to healthcare access — has reversed years of public health progress.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has sounded alarm bells, with CNN reporting that the United States is “on track to lose” its own measles elimination status if ongoing outbreaks in California, New York, and Florida are not quickly contained.
WHO spokesperson Dr. Elise Tran described the situation as a “wake-up call” for high-income nations that once considered measles eradicated. “The disease spreads rapidly in unvaccinated populations. Even a small drop in coverage can lead to large outbreaks,” she said.
Public health experts are now calling for urgent nationwide vaccination drives and renewed education campaigns to counter vaccine misinformation on social media platforms.
Sources
CBC News — “Canada Loses Measles-Free Status as Outbreaks Spread,” Nov. 10, 2025
Global News — “Vaccine Hesitancy Behind Canada’s Measles Resurgence,” Nov. 10, 2025
CNN — “U.S. at Risk of Losing Measles-Free Certification, CDC Warns,” Nov. 10, 2025
World Health Organization (WHO) — “Statement on Measles Elimination Status in the Americas,” Nov. 10, 2025
