Canada: More than 2,000 total measles cases reported in Ontario, Death reported in congenital case
According to Public Health Ontario, from the beginning of the year through June 3, a total of 2,047 measles cases (1,792 confirmed, 255 probable) have been reported in the province.
In addition, there was one death that occurred in a congenital case of measles who was born pre-term and had other underlying medical conditions.
Dr. Kieran Moore, Chief Medical Officer of Health, issued the following statement:
“It is with deep sadness that I confirm that an infant, born prematurely and infected with measles, has tragically passed away in southwestern Ontario. The infant contracted the virus before birth from their mother, who had not received the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. While measles may have been a contributing factor in both the premature birth and death, the infant also faced other serious medical complications unrelated to the virus.
To put the magnitude of this outbreak in perspective, between 2013 and 2023 there were 101 confirmed cases of measles reported in Ontario, while in 2024 there were 64 cases of measles reported.
Subscribe to Outbreak News TV on YouTube
About 90 percent of cases were unimmunized (88.9%) or under immunized (1.3%), while another 5.3% had an unknown immunization status.
Half the cases were reported in people ages 5 to 19. 140 cases required hospitalization for their illness and nine required intensive care.
Elsewhere in Canada:
Alberta: Measles transmission is currently occurring in Alberta, affecting individuals of all ages – including infants, children and adults. Most reported cases have been in children under 5 years old and those aged 5 to 17 who are not immunized.
Cases have been reported in all zones of the province, with the highest numbers in the south and central zones.
To date, 778 total measles cases have been reported in Alberta.
Manitoba: Manitoba Public Health continues to monitor for measles cases and exposures that occur from cases in Manitoba, and exposures from out of province travellers to Manitoba. To date, 90 confirmed measles cases and four probable cases have been reported in the province.
Saskatchewan: From March 14 to June 4, 2025, a total of 47 measles cases have been reported in Saskatchewan.
In addition to the above provinces, cases are reported in the following: Quebec (36), British Columbia (12), Prince Edward Island (2) and one each in Nova Scotia and Northwest Territories.
Measles is one of the most highly contagious diseases characterized by a red, blotchy rash. The measles virus spreads through close personal contact with an infected person and through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The virus can be spread by droplets that can stay in the air for several hours. Infection can result in serious illness or death.
Interesting. I had the measles when I was in high school in 1960. Interesting that several years later when I married and we had a son, our premature size baby boy came down with measles when he was only a few months old. The doc gave him an antibiotic and he got well. He was a premature baby and weighed 5 lbs 5 oz when he was born. He gained weight and did well after that. I will always believe these dang shots they give babies have a lot to do about their survival. In other words, maybe they would be better off without them. At the age of 58, our son passed away last year from esophageal cancer. I wonder if this could have had anything to do with all the vaccines and shots he had growing up. He was allergic to milk so we had to put him on soy milk. He did well on that. I think his allergies and vaccines he had, had a lot to do with his cancer! We have only cousins left in our family. At the age of 82, it’s frightening that we don’t have anyone who would care one hour about us as we get older.
Albertan here. Absolutely horrible but was also so very predictable. When herd immunity plummets this is the result. Just a matter of time.
In news reports it’s often said measles is one of the most contagious diseases. Correct me if I’m wrong, but is it not the most contagious disease (by far) known to man? Is there something more contagious or even in the same scope?
Thanks again for your updates. Enjoy your posts and videos very much!