Measles: Mother warns of long-term effects

A Canadian mother says her infant, who was too young to be vaccinated, has had repeated respiratory and ear infections and doctors told her the measles infection weakened the child's immunity; the Pan American Health Organization has issued an alert urging stronger vaccination and surveillance across the Americas.

A Canadian mother is warning about possible long-term health effects after her infant contracted measles while too young to be vaccinated. The child, now 15 months old, has had repeated respiratory and ear infections, and the mother says doctors told her the infection compromised the child’s immune system. Medical reports cited in news coverage point to research that links measles with a loss of previously acquired antibodies, a phenomenon described as immune amnesia. Regional health authorities have raised alarms about rising measles cases and are calling for strengthened vaccination and surveillance. Known details: - The infant, named Kimie, contracted measles as an infant and is now 15 months old; her mother, Morgan Birch, reports subsequent croup and ear infections and says clinicians told her the illness weakened the child’s immunity. - A Georgia Institute of Technology report cited a 2019 study that found measles infection can reduce between 11% and 75% of existing antibodies, a condition described as immune amnesia. - The Pan American Health Organization issued an epidemiological alert asking countries in the Americas, including Canada, to intensify vaccination efforts and disease surveillance after measles cases rose sharply in 2025 and the trend continued into 2026. - Since October 2024, about 5,500 measles cases have been reported in Canada, a surge that coincided with the country losing its measles elimination status; Canadian federal public health officials say they are working with PAHO on control and prevention measures. Summary: The mother's account and cited research highlight concerns about longer-term health effects tied to measles and immune amnesia. Regional authorities, including PAHO and Canada’s public health agency, have called for intensified vaccination and improved surveillance; further outcomes are undetermined at this time.