Measles surge sparks warning from Canada’s top doctor – CTV
March 06, 2025
With many students and families taking a vacation through spring break this March, the country’s top doctor is warning Canadians about the surge in measles in Canada and around the world.
More cases of measles were reported in the first two months of this year than in all of 2024 in Canada, Dr. Theresa Tam, the country’s chief public health officer, said in a statement Thursday. As of March 6, there have been 227 confirmed cases of measles in Canada, with many needing to be hospitalized.
Tam called it a “concerning trend,” saying the surge was due to a “noticeable increase” in cases connected to outbreaks in New Brunswick, Ontario, Quebec and Manitoba.
Tam said most of the cases involve “unvaccinated or under-vaccinated children” who contracted the highly contagious disease in environments like daycares, schools and health-care sites.
“As we move through spring break travel season, I am concerned that the global rise in measles cases, combined with declining vaccination rates among school-aged children in Canada, could lead to more illness and more community transmission,” Tam said. “I strongly urge all Canadians to ensure they are vaccinated against measles —check to see if you are up-to-date before travelling.”
