A warning sign about possible measles cases is posted at the front entrance of Woodstock General Hospital in Woodstock, Ontario (Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nicole Osborne)
Ontario is witnessing a steady decline in new measles cases, according to a new update from Public Health Ontario (PHO) released this Thursday. The report shows only 12 new infections across the province—marking a significant drop from 33 new cases last week and a dramatic fall from 96 the week before.
This downward trend suggests that Ontario may be moving past the worst of its measles outbreak, which began in October 2024, initially linked to travel-related cases in New Brunswick.
Fewer Cases in Former Hotspots
Two new infections were recorded in the northern area that includes Sault Ste. Marie, a region that had shown one of the highest surges in the past weeks. In the southwest—another heavily affected region—four new cases were reported. Though the numbers are still rising in certain spots, overall the pattern suggests things may be stabilizing.
PHO highlighted that weekly updates may not fully reflect real-time data due to delays in reporting. Some cases might still be pending confirmation or classification. However, the drop remains a promising sign.
Why the Numbers Are Dropping
Public Health Ontario explained the decline may be linked to more people gaining immunity—either through vaccination or from having already been infected. In outbreaks like this, once a larger portion of the community becomes immune, the virus has fewer opportunities to spread.
Still, officials cautioned that the risk hasn’t disappeared. New cases are being added every week, and PHO will continue tracking measles developments closely over the coming months.
Ontario’s Total Measles Count Hits 2,223
Since the outbreak started, Ontario has recorded a total of 2,223 measles cases. This includes a recent revision—PHO removed one earlier reported case from the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph region following an investigation. Due to privacy rules, the agency didn’t share further details.
The province continues to see the majority of infections in people under 18, particularly unvaccinated infants, children, and teens.
Elsewhere in Canada: Alberta’s Situation
Alberta is currently reporting the second-highest number of measles cases in the country. As of Thursday, the province had 1,179 infections, including 74 new cases this past week. Like Ontario, the outbreak there has also mainly affected those who haven’t received measles vaccinations.
New Brunswick Update
Interestingly, New Brunswick—the province where the outbreak is believed to have originated—has reported no new cases so far in 2025, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada’s website, with the latest update posted on June 21.
As public health authorities across Canada continue to respond to measles outbreaks, the emphasis remains on vaccination and timely reporting to help control further spread.
