Canada reports over 3,800 measles cases in 2025, surpassing U.S. figures. Experts link outbreak to low vaccination rates and pandemic-driven hesitancy.
Infant Infection Sparks Alarming Realization
When Alberta mother Morgan Birch noticed a rash and fever in her four-month-old daughter Kimie, she assumed it was a mild post-vaccination reaction. But a closer look by her grandmother revealed something unthinkable: measles. Lab tests confirmed the diagnosis, shocking Birch, who believed the disease had long been eradicated.
Outbreak Surpasses North American Peers
Kimie is one of more than 3,800 Canadians infected with measles so far in 2025—nearly three times the number reported in the United States. Despite Canada’s smaller population, the outbreak has positioned the country among the top 10 globally, with Alberta recording the highest per capita measles spread rate in North America.
Provinces Struggle With Containment
The outbreak began in Ontario in late 2024, reportedly after an attendee at a religious gathering in New Brunswick returned home infected. The virus spread quickly in Low German-speaking Mennonite communities in southwestern Ontario, where vaccination rates are historically low due to cultural and religious beliefs. Alberta has since emerged as the new epicentre, with health officials unable to pinpoint a specific origin for the rapid rise in cases.
Vaccine Hesitancy Amplifies Spread
Public health experts cite low MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccination rates as the primary driver behind the outbreak. Post-pandemic skepticism, fueled by misinformation and distrust in medical institutions, has resulted in declining immunisation numbers. In southern Alberta, MMR vaccine administration dropped by nearly 50% between 2019 and 2024.
Healthcare Workers Raise Alarms
Catalina Friesen, who runs a mobile clinic near Aylmer, Ontario, said the community’s first known case appeared in February, and cases spiked shortly after. She observed that misinformation and cultural mistrust of the healthcare system have worsened since the pandemic. “We’re not anti-medicine,” she said, “but there’s a lot of fear that’s grown in recent years.”
Government Response and Public Health Efforts
Health officials have since lowered the age threshold for MMR vaccinations in Alberta and ramped up outreach efforts through bulletins and media campaigns. Despite these steps, the response remains subdued compared to the urgency seen during COVID-19. Experts like Dr. Janna Shapiro from the University of Toronto warn that unless vaccination rates rise, the outbreak will persist.
Families Urge Action After First-Hand Impact
Although Kimie has now recovered, her mother says the situation remains a stark warning. “My four-month-old shouldn’t have gotten measles in 2025,” Birch said. She urged other parents to follow public health guidance: “Vaccinate to protect those who can’t protect themselves.”
For continuous coverage and real-time updates, keep following Maple News Wire.
