Measles cases nearly double in Ontario over last 2 weeks, far surpassing last decade’s total
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Measles Outbreak in Ontario Continues to Grow
Ontario has reported an alarming 84 new measles cases over the past two weeks, nearly doubling the province’s total count since the outbreak began in the autumn. This brings the total number of confirmed cases this year to 119, with an additional 23 cases deemed “probable.” These numbers far exceed the 101 total infections recorded in the province between 2013 and 2023.
Most of the new cases are linked to an interprovincial outbreak that started in October, affecting a total of 177 people in Ontario, as well as spreading to New Brunswick and Manitoba. Quebec has also reported an outbreak of 27 cases that began in December.
As a result of the outbreak, 18 children in Ontario have been hospitalized, with one child requiring intensive care. The majority of those affected are children and teenagers who were unvaccinated against the highly contagious measles virus.
One case reported recently involved an unvaccinated child who contracted measles outside of Canada and had to be hospitalized. This highlights the importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of the disease.
Measles was declared eradicated in Canada in 1998, but with vaccination rates dropping, new cases are surging. 95 people have been infected in just the first two months of this year, compared to 147 for all of 2025.
The United States is also witnessing a rise in measles cases, with its first measles-related death in a decade reported in Texas. Measles is an airborne disease that typically presents with symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, and red watery eyes, followed by a characteristic rash. In severe cases, measles can lead to pneumonia, brain inflammation, and even death.
The Public Health Agency of Canada attributes the current spread of measles to a global increase in cases, declining vaccination rates, and heightened international travel. Vaccination remains the most effective way to protect against measles and prevent its further spread.
