Canada Loses Measles Elimination Status, Virus Now Endemic After 20-Year Victory

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) announced Monday that Canada has lost its measles elimination status, marking a significant setback in the global fight against the highly infectious virus. The determination was made by a committee of PAHO experts, who spent last week poring over disease data to assess the measles status of countries across the entire region. According to Dr. Carissa Etienne, Director of the PAHO, "This decision was not taken lightly, and we are deeply concerned about the resurgence of measles in Canada." The fact that Canada has lost its elimination status means that the region of the Americas overall has also lost the status, which it achieved in 2016. Of the 35 countries and territories in the region designated by the World Health Organization, Canada is currently the only country where measles is considered to be spreading endemically, though other countries, namely the US and Mexico, are headed in the same direction. Measles is considered eliminated when a country can go 12 months without continuous local spread. Sporadic cases brought in from international travel can continue to occur, potentially causing limited outbreaks. However, elimination is lost and endemicity is declared when the virus begins to spread continuously within a country's borders. The loss of measles elimination status in Canada is a significant blow to global efforts to eradicate the disease. Measles is one of the leading causes of vaccine-preventable deaths worldwide, with an estimated 140,000 deaths annually. The World Health Organization (WHO) has set a target to eliminate measles globally by 2020, but progress has been slow, and the COVID-19 pandemic has further hindered efforts. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, expressed concern about the resurgence of measles in Canada, stating, "We are seeing a disturbing trend of measles outbreaks in countries that had previously eliminated the disease. This is a wake-up call for all of us to redouble our efforts to protect vulnerable populations and prevent the spread of this highly infectious virus." The loss of measles elimination status in Canada is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges in global health. As the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential to maintain focus on other critical health issues, including measles. The PAHO and WHO will continue to work together to support countries in their efforts to control and eliminate measles. In the coming weeks, the PAHO will work with the Canadian government and health authorities to develop a plan to address the resurgence of measles in the country. The WHO will also provide technical assistance and support to help Canada regain its measles elimination status.