In 1998, Canada celebrated a huge milestone. We became one of the first countries in the world to eliminate measles. Twenty-seven years later, things are dramatically different. That’s because one year ago in New Brunswick, measles made a reappearance. What started as one case quickly spread across the country. And has continued to spread for a full year. Pay attention to that one-year mark, because it’s important. According to public health, if the chain of transmission can’t be broken in a year, it means a country can no longer call itself measles-free. Canada’s status will officially be determined at a meeting next month. We have had outbreaks since 1998, but we’ve always been able to break the chain of transmission. But not this time. Spread has been slowing. But it’s still making headlines. Like possible exposures this month in Ottawa. And Alberta recently reported its first measles death since the outbreak began. So—how did we get here? And what would it take to make measles a disease of the past. Again?
