Canada Faces Unprecedented Measles Outbreak Amid Vaccine Hesitancy

The resurgence of measles in Canada, particularly within the Mennonite communities and Alberta, has raised concerns about public health and vaccine hesitancy. As cases rise sharply following the pandemic, experts are urging a renewed focus on immunization.

Canada's once-vanquished battle against measles has faced a troubling resurgence, with more than 3,800 cases reported in 2025 — the highest numbers since the disease was declared eliminated in 1998. This alarming outbreak has positioned Canada as the only western nation among the top 10 countries facing measles outbreaks, as detailed in recent data from the CDC, highlighting a stark discrepancy compared to the United States, which has experienced significantly fewer cases.

The outbreak's origin traces back to a large Mennonite gathering in New Brunswick in late 2024, where the virus first made significant inroads as it spread predominantly among Low German-speaking Mennonite communities in southwestern Ontario, historically known for lower vaccination rates. Catalina Friesen, a healthcare worker at a nearby mobile clinic, expressed her surprise, stating that this was the first instance of measles she had encountered in her community.

Health officials in Alberta now report a rapid spread of the virus, with an inability to trace how the outbreak began in a region known for its significant conservative Mennonite population. According to Dr. Vivien Suttorp, a medical officer in southern Alberta, the situation has reached unprecedented levels in her nearly two-decade career in public health.

Vaccine hesitancy is a critical factor in this outbreak. Experts like Janna Shapiro from the University of Toronto's Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases have pointed out that the drop in MMR vaccinations — approximately half since 2019 in southern Alberta — is alarming. This decline in vaccination rates follows widespread anti-vaccine rhetoric during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has now expanded to other vaccinations.

Amid these challenges, public health campaigns in Canada have struggled to elicit a robust response, despite efforts to encourage vaccination through advertisements and public bulletins. Parents like Morgan Birch, who witnessed her four-month-old daughter Kimie contract measles despite her efforts to vaccinate her early, feel immense frustration towards vaccine hesitancy in their communities.

Efforts to combat this outbreak have led Alberta's health authorities to lower the minimum age for the measles vaccine, a decision aimed at curbing the infection rate. As public trust in the healthcare system remains tenuous, Cataline Friesen highlights the compounded fears stemming from historical discrimination against the Mennonite community, which may fuel continued reluctance to embrace vaccinations.

The urgency for increased vaccination efforts is palpable, as experts warn that without significant improvement in immunization rates, the outbreak will persist. Citizens and health officials alike are now advocating for adherence to vaccination and public health guidelines to safeguard the vulnerable and prevent further spread of this highly contagious virus.