Canada poised to lose measles elimination status, a possible harbinger of more disease outbreaks

People stand near healthy awareness posters related to the measles outbreak during a public health awareness campaign, at the Taber Health Centre, in the largely Mennonite community of Taber, Alberta, Canada, October 27, 2025. REUTERS/Ahmed Zakot

TORONTO (Reuters) -Canada is poised to lose its measles elimination status after nearly three decades, and public health experts fear outbreaks of other preventable diseases as vaccination rates fall.

Canada has recorded more than 5,000 measles cases in nine provinces and one territory since the current outbreak started in Ontario and New Brunswick a year ago. More are likely going undetected,health experts told Reuters.