A flyer educating parents about measles is displayed on a bulletin board in California, one of the U.S. states where there are currently measles cases. (Eric Risberg/Associated Press)
Canada's chief public health officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, is urging Canadians to ensure they are fully vaccinated with two doses of the measles vaccine before travelling abroad, particularly as global measles cases surged in 2023.
Dr. Tam expressed concern that the rise in measles activity worldwide, coupled with decreased measles vaccination rates among Canadian school-aged children during the pandemic, could lead to a rise in imported measles cases and subsequent transmission within Canadian communities.
Measles, although uncommon in Canada, can still cause outbreaks when unvaccinated individuals travel to or from countries where the virus is spreading. The highly contagious disease can result in severe symptoms such as coughing, fever, and rash, with complications including pneumonia, brain damage, and even death in some cases.
The measles vaccine, administered in two doses, provides full protection against the virus for both adults and children. While the first dose is typically given to infants between 12 to 15 months, a second dose is provided before the child starts school. For adults unsure of their vaccination status, especially if travelling, health officials recommend getting a booster shot. Additionally, adults born before 1970 who are uncertain about their measles history are advised to receive a dose of the vaccine.
The disruption of routine vaccination programs during the COVID-19 pandemic has raised public health officials' concerns. Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious diseases expert at Toronto General Hospital, emphasized the importance of widespread vaccination to prevent imported cases from leading to local transmission.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 35 measles cases were reported across 15 jurisdictions in the United States as of February 22. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization highlighted a significant increase in measles cases across more than 40 European countries in 2023 compared to the previous year.
