After nearly three decades of keeping measles in check, Canada has lost its elimination status for the highly infectious disease, a decision that public health experts are calling a setback in the fight against vaccine-preventable illnesses.

On Monday, Canada was stripped of its designation of being a measles-free country — the only country in the Americas that lost its status — amid a large, multi-province outbreak that started in October 2024.

The Pan American Health Organization said Canada lost its designation due to sustained measles transmission in the country that has lasted for more than 12 months.

Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, director of the PAHO, said that the ongoing spread signals endemic transmission of the virus has been re-established in Canada.

He said the loss of Canada’s eli

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