Surge of Measles in Canada Raises Public Health Concerns

Wed Oct 22 2025 21:55:10 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Alarming increases in measles cases highlight challenges of vaccine hesitancy, especially among certain communities in Canada.

As Canada grapples with a substantial rise in measles infections, the outbreak centers primarily in provinces with historically low vaccination rates, primarily among Mennonite populations, generating critical discussions on public health and vaccine hesitancy.

In 2025, Canada faces an unprecedented outbreak of measles, with over 3,800 reported cases, primarily affecting young children and infants. This surge has drawn international attention as it marks the highest number of cases recorded since the disease was declared eliminated in the country in 1998.

Morgan Birch's daughter, Kimie, is among the infected children. Initially believing it was a mild illness, Birch discovered through her grandmother that Kimie had measles, confirming fears that the virus had returned. The outbreak has raised pressing questions about the effectiveness of public health responses in Canada, where the incidence of measles significantly exceeds that of neighboring countries like the US.

Alberta, where Birch resides, is the epicenter of this outbreak, with investigators baffled by the speed of transmission. Most cases stem from Mennonite communities in Ontario and Alberta, where vaccination rates are historically low. These groups, particularly conservative Mennonites, often adhere to cultural or religious practices that discourage vaccination, leading to a concerning scenario where the contagious virus has spread rapidly among unvaccinated individuals.

Health officials are now cautiously linking the rapid spread of measles among these communities to a mix of long-standing vaccine hesitancy and the rise of misinformation throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Catalina Friesen, a healthcare worker in Ontario, noted that negative sentiments towards vaccinations have been exacerbated, with individuals being influenced by gossip and distrust of the healthcare system.

Despite the alarming figures, experts caution that many cases remain unreported, with potential underrepresentation of those afflicted. The jump in measles cases correlates with notable declines in vaccination rates—Alberta reported a near 50% drop in MMR vaccinations from 2019 to 2024—attributable to pandemic-induced disruptions and widespread opposition to vaccine mandates.

Efforts to increase vaccination uptake are underway, as provincial health units push for higher immunization numbers through education campaigns. However, the response has not matched the urgency displayed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As public health officials encourage vaccination, mothers like Birch urge communities to embrace immunization for the health of their children. "My four-month-old shouldn't have gotten measles in 2025," she stated, hoping to inspire broader adherence to public health guidelines to prevent further outbreaks.