Canada loses measles elimination status

Canada’s public health agency officially announced that the country has lost its measles elimination status. This development caused the loss of that status across the entire Americas region as well.

Background and Expert Committee Decision

This outcome was anticipated following a recent Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) expert committee meeting. The committee determined that a significant measles outbreak, which started in Canada in October 2024, was still active over a year later.

Impact on the Americas Region

Canada’s loss affects the Americas, the only World Health Organization region that had achieved measles elimination. The rule states that if any country within a WHO region loses measles elimination status, the entire region loses it.

“This loss represents a setback of course. But it is also reversible,” said Jarbas Barbosa, PAHO director and regional WHO representative for the Americas, during a news conference confirming the decision.

History of Measles Elimination in the Americas

The Americas first earned measles-free status in 2016.
The status was lost in 2018 due to a prolonged outbreak in Venezuela.
The region regained measles elimination status again in 2024.
Brazil similarly lost and then regained the status during that period.

“As a region, we have eliminated measles twice. We can do it a third time,” Barbosa emphasized.

Author’s Summary

Canada’s ongoing measles outbreak caused it to lose elimination status, leading to the entire Americas region losing this status, though recovery remains possible.

STAT — 2025-11-10