Canada authorities record a worrying increase in measles cases

Canadian health authorities reported on Thursday, May 1, that a measles outbreak that affects the province of Ontario, has accelerated with 223 new cases in a week, since it was detected in October 2024.

The Minister of Health of Ontario, Sylvia Jones, declared in a press conference that the province, the most populous in the country, already has registered 1,242 cases of measles as of April 29.

Ontario is not the only affected province. In Alberta another 170 cases have been detected, while in Quebec the figure is 36.

In total, Canada has 1,479 active cases, which is the worst measles outbreak in the country for more than three decades. In comparison, the US has registered about 900 cases throughout the country.

The increase of 223 cases in a week is the largest figure since October last year and occurs despite the fact that the health authorities of the province have initiated an awareness campaign on the need to vaccinate children.

Ontario also confirmed on Thursday the first cases of measles in the Canadian capital, Ottawa. The authorities believe that the two affected, an adult and a child acquired the disease during a trip abroad.

EFE