After nearly 30 years, Canada has lost its measles elimination status according to the country’s public health agency.

In a statement Monday, the agency says the country is currently experiencing a “large, multi-jurisdictional outbreak of measles” that began in October 2024 with cases in Alberta, B.C., Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, P.E.I and Quebec.

The outbreak has slowed recently, but has persisted for 12 months, mostly in communities that are under-vaccinated.

Canada can get its status back if the measles strain, associated with the current outbreak is interrupted for at least 12 months.

more to come…