A World Health Organisation (WHO) agency has revoked Canada’s measles-free status following more than a year of cases reported in multiple provinces and territories.
A “large, multi-jurisdictional outbreak of measles” since late last year led the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) to withdraw Canada’s measles elimination status, according to a Nov. 10 announcement from the the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC).
“While transmission has slowed recently, the outbreak has persisted for over 12 months, primarily within under-vaccinated communities,” the health agency’s news release reads.
There were 22 confirmed measles cases and one probable case between Oct. 26 and Nov. 1, part of 4,800 confirmed measles cases and 362 probable measles cases this year as of Nov. 1, according to PHAC. Ontario leads with 2,393 confirmed or probable cases, followed by Alberta at 1,946 and B.C. at 336….