Canada Faces Measles Resurgence as Vaccine Hesitancy Sparks Alarming Outbreak
Canada is grappling with its worst measles outbreak in decades, raising global concerns as the country unexpectedly emerges as North America’s epicentre for the virus in 2025.
With more than 3,800 confirmed cases most of them among infants and unvaccinated children Canada now ranks among the top 10 countries globally for measles infections, outpacing even the United States despite its smaller population.
Public health officials are pointing to a complex interplay of cultural resistance, misinformation, and vaccine delays as core drivers of the crisis, particularly in Ontario and Alberta provinces now flagged as hotspots.
In Alberta, the epicentre of the surge, Morgan Birch’s four-month-old daughter, Kimie, became one of the first known cases. What began as a minor fever and rash was soon diagnosed as measles, likely contracted during a routine hospital visit.
Kimie had not yet reached the eligible age for vaccination, a factor that highlights the growing risk for vulnerable populations.
Experts say vaccination gaps and declining public trust in health systems have created fertile ground for the virus.
“The only way to halt this outbreak is to boost immunisation rates,” said Dr. Janna Shapiro of the University of Toronto. “Without that, the virus will keep spreading.”
The outbreak was first traced to a large religious gathering in New Brunswick in late 2024. Since then, infections have surged particularly among Low German-speaking Mennonite communities, where cultural or religious views have historically led to lower vaccine uptake. A mobile clinic operator in Ontario, Catalina Friesen, reported the earliest signs in February and noted how anti-vaccine sentiments have deepened since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alberta’s health authorities have responded by lowering the age of measles vaccination and increasing public outreach through bulletins and local broadcasts.
However, the current pace of response is far less intense than during the COVID-19 crisis, prompting questions about preparedness and public will.
Public health workers warn that the true number of infections may be even higher, citing underreporting in rural and marginalised areas. “What we’re seeing now may just be the tip of the iceberg,” said Dr. Vivien Suttorp, a senior health official in southern Alberta.
Canada had declared measles eliminated in 1998. But the resurgence, fueled by misinformation and pandemic-era vaccine skepticism, shows how fragile that progress can be.
For families like the Birches, the consequences have been deeply personal. “I’m frustrated,” said Morgan Birch. “People refusing to vaccinate are putting lives at risk especially those who can’t yet protect themselves.”
As Canada works to contain the spread, health experts say one thing is clear: rebuilding vaccine confidence is now a matter of public safety.
