An alarming increase in measles cases across Canada is paving the way for severe and potentially fatal health implications for its citizens, as stated by an expert in immunity from McMaster University in Hamilton.
According to Dawn Bowdish, a professor in the medicine department, immunologist, executive director of the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, and Canada research chair in aging and immunity, various factors and lapses in oversight have led to the country losing its measles elimination status after 28 years last November.
“We certainly do not want measles in our country, as it can lead to terrible health outcomes,” Bowdish conveyed during an interview with CBC’s Chris Glover on the Metro Morning radio show on August 12.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), a division of the World Health Organization (WHO), revoked Canada’s measles-free designation as cases of this highly infectious virus continue to rise.
An alert released by the WHO on August 8 indicated that Canada has a significantly higher rate of measles compared to the United States, recording half as many cases as the U.S. despite having a population roughly one-tenth the size.
Measles cases also increasing in the U.S.
This situation coincides with a spike in measles cases reported in the U.S. The Associated Press noted on July 24 that the number of measles cases within the U.S. had already exceeded the record high set in 2025, marking the worst year for measles in over three decades.
Bowdish described Canada’s loss of its measles elimination status as “embarrassing” on the global front.
“A wealthy country like Canada should not be in this situation,” she remarked.
The increasing number of measles cases poses serious health risks to those who contract the virus, Bowdish emphasized.
Measles, which can be transmitted through the air when an infected individual breathes, coughs, or sneezes, can lead to symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, conjunctivitis, and a rash, as well as severe complications like pneumonia, encephalitis, blindness, and even death, according to the WHO.
Bowdish pointed out that measles can also result in pregnancy losses, hospitalizations for children with chronic health problems, and “horrific” neurological effects.
She identified several factors and systematic issues contributing to the rise in measles cases in Canada, including:
- The absence of a national vaccine registry, complicating the tracking of vaccination statuses.
- The ongoing “crisis” in family medicine that restricts access to vaccinations not available at pharmacies.
- School vaccination mandates undermined by what she termed “loosey-goosey” exemption policies, allowing unvaccinated children to transmit the virus.
- Overburdened public health organizations lacking resources for community outreach to educate vaccine-skeptical individuals.
This skepticism has been partly fueled by a growing anti-vaccine movement gaining influence at high levels of government in the U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on August 10, suggesting that the childhood measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine be administered as separate shots during different medical visits.
Bowdish fears that this could increase children’s exposure to measles.
“I am disheartened,” she stated. “It is incredibly troubling to see the highest level of government in the U.S. spreading misinformation.”
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She added, “Every credible American agency, including pediatric societies, public health organizations, physicians, and scientists, are in agreement: we have decades of research supporting the safety of these vaccines.”
Bowdish stressed the importance of Canada enforcing existing vaccination requirements for school attendance, stating, “This has proven to be an effective method for increasing vaccination rates.”
Countries throughout the Americas must take the rise in measles cases seriously, given the severe risks associated with this viral infection, according to PAHO.
“Measles does not allow for complacency,” remarked Daniel Salas, executive manager of PAHO’s Special Program for Comprehensive Immunization, in a recent statement.
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