Measles: Health officials urge travellers to check vaccination status

Health officials warn measles is spreading internationally and are urging Canadians to check vaccination status before March Break; Canada has reported more than 5,000 cases since early 2025 while outbreaks continue in Mexico and the U.S.

Measles is continuing to spread in 2026, with health officials urging Canadians to review vaccination status before travelling for March Break. Officials point to rising case counts in travel destinations such as Mexico and parts of the United States, and note Canada has seen a large outbreak since early 2025. Acting Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Natasha Crowcroft said the return of measles had severe impacts for some families and stressed the importance of keeping cases out of the country. Public health agencies including PAHO and the CDC have reported sharp increases in cases in the Americas and elsewhere. Key points: - Mexico has reported more than 2,700 cases so far in 2026, and U.S. authorities have identified more than 900 confirmed cases, according to the article. - Canada has reported over 5,000 confirmed measles cases since early 2025, and a growing cluster of more than 70 cases was reported in Manitoba. - Acting Chief Public Health Officer Natasha Crowcroft and other experts urged people to check vaccination status before travel; international bodies reported a marked rise in cases in the Americas. Summary: The return and international spread of measles has led officials to highlight both recent outbreaks abroad and a large outbreak in Canada that began in 2025. Undetermined at this time.