Measles outbreak over after 2 years, thousands infected in Canada: PHAC

By: Hannah Alberga, The Canadian Press Posted: 3:55 PM CDT Monday, Oct. 19, 2026 Last Modified: 6:17 AM CDT Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026

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A measles outbreak that spanned two years and infected thousands of people in Canada is over.

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A measles outbreak that spanned two years and infected thousands of people in Canada is over.

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A measles outbreak that spanned two years and infected thousands of people in Canada is over.

The Public Health Agency of Canada made the declaration in a press release Monday, stating that more than 6,400 people were infected across 10 provinces.

Two infants in Ontario and Alberta who were infected with measles while in the womb died after they were born.

Warning signage for suspected cases of measles is seen outside the main entrance of Woodstock General Hospital in Woodstock, Ont., Thursday, May 22, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nicole Osborne

The outbreak began in New Brunswick in October 2024 and about a year later led to the loss of Canada’s measles elimination status due to ongoing transmission of the highly contagious disease for more than 12 months.

Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Joss Reimer says that although it’s encouraging to see the outbreak declared over, it doesn’t mean that measles is gone.

Infectious disease experts have attributed the return of measles to declining vaccination rates, misinformation-fuelled vaccine hesitancy and distrust of authority, as well as disruptions to routine immunizations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Measles continues to circulate globally, and we can expect to see further travel-related cases here at home,” Reimer said in a statement.

Ontario, which was one of the most affected provinces, declared its outbreak over last fall, while Alberta’s ended in July. Public health officials in Manitoba said the province’s last laboratory-confirmed case was in August.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 19, 2026.

Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content.