In hibernation since 1998, it’s Measles

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).

Share our original Tweet!

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.

You can read more about safeguarding yourself and your loved ones from the measles here. 👇 https://t.co/vzYuk3V5b8#ScienceUpFirst pic.twitter.com/JpseC2TLpg

— ScienceUpFirst | LaScienced'Abord (@ScienceUpFirst) February 16, 2024

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