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Unfortunately, this is not a fictional horror movie. It’s happening right now, and it is scary.
On January 29, 2024 the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) issued an Epidemiological alert for measles in the region of the Americas (1).
Measles is a highly contagious airborne, but vaccine preventable, disease that can cause serious complications such as hospitalization, pneumonia, swelling of the brain, respiratory failure, permanent neurological damage, and death (2,3,4,5). Children under the age of 5, adults over the age of 20 (CDC) or 30 (WHO), pregnant individuals, and those living with an immunocompromised system are particularly vulnerable to complications of measles (2,4,5).
For years, there has been a noticeable decline in the uptake of MMR/V (measles, rubella, mumps, and sometimes varicella) vaccines (1,6). The COVID-19 pandemic also disrupted routine immunization and monitoring, and increased misinformation and vaccine hesitancy (2,7,8,9). As a result, there was a 64% increase in measles cases globally last year compared to 2022 (1). England, a country that eliminated measles in 2017, is currently experiencing elevated measles activity and so is the United States (7,10,11,12,13).
Despite Canada declaring measles eliminated in 1998 (3), insufficient immunization coverage poses a risk of outbreaks (1). Maintaining herd immunity for measles requires a 95% vaccination rate (learn more about herd immunity here – 14) (10,15). Currently, only 79% of Canadians are fully protected with 2 doses of MMR offering 97% protection (1,6,16).
So far only 1 case of measles has been reported in Canada this year, but things can change quickly (17). Just last month, there was a warning against a potential exposure in Ontario (18,19).
Make sure you and your loved ones have received all their vaccines and are properly protected against measles, especially if you are planning on traveling (6,20).
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The Measles are something we thought we’d eliminated. Unfortunately, they’re back again and there are some things you should know to stay safe.
— ScienceUpFirst | LaScienced'Abord (@ScienceUpFirst) February 16, 2024
You can read more about safeguarding yourself and your loved ones from the measles here. 👇 https://t.co/vzYuk3V5b8#ScienceUpFirst pic.twitter.com/JpseC2TLpg
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- Epidemiological Alert – Measles in the Region of the Americas
- Measles | FR : Rougeole
- Measles: For health professionals | FR : Rougeole : Pour les professionnels de la santé
- Top 4 Things Parents Need to Know about Measles
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- Measles: Prevention and risks | FR : Rougeole : Prévention et risques
- Measles Cases Soaring Worldwide as WHO Reports Alarming 45-Fold Rise in Europe
- Global Measles Outbreaks
- Tuesday briefing: Measles cases are rising – and it’s about more than vaccine misinformation
- Measles outbreaks cause alarm: what the data say
- UK: Elevated measles activity reported in England, especially West Midlands, through January /update 1
- Measles Cases and Outbreaks
- Measles in Globe – Level 1 – Level 1 – Practice Usual Precautions – Travel Health Notices
- “If others are vaccinated, why do I need to be?” | FR : « Si les autres sont vacciné.e.s, pourquoi je devrais l’être ? »
- Vaccination Coverage Goals and Vaccine Preventable Disease Reduction Targets by 2025 | FR : Objectifs nationaux de couverture vaccinale et cibles nationales de réduction des maladies évitables par la vaccination d’ici 2025
- Vaccine for Measles (MMR Shot)
- Measles & Rubella Weekly Monitoring Report – Week 3: January 14 to January 20, 2024 | FR : Rapport hebdomadaire de surveillance de la rougeole et de la rubéole – Semaine 3 : 14 janvier au 20 janvier 2024
- Potential measles exposure on flight to Pearson, at ONroute and clinic: Windsor, Ont. health unit
- Windsor-Essex health unit warns of possible measles exposure in January at medical clinic | CBC News
- Measles: Travel health advice | FR : Rougeole : Derniers conseils de santé aux voyageurs