Canada loses its measles status

Canada is no longer measles-free because of ongoing outbreaks, international health experts said Monday, as childhood vaccination rates fall and the highly contagious virus spreads across North and South America.

- BY DEVI SHASTRI

The loss of the country’s measles elimination status comes more than a year after the highly contagious virus started spreading.

Canada has logged 5,138 measles cases this year and two deaths. Both were babies who were exposed to the measles virus in the womb and born prematurely.

Measles elimination is a symbolic designation, but it represents a hard-won battle against the infectious disease. It is earned when a country shows it stopped continuous spread of the virus within local communities, though occasional cases might still pop up from travel.

Measles typically begins with a high fever and also causes a rash on the face and neck. Although most people who get measles recover, it’s one of the leading causes of death among young children, according to the World Health Organization.

Serious complications, including blindness and a swelling of the brain, are more common in young children and adults over age 30.