Measles without borders
Despite being declared eliminated in some countries, including the US in 2000, measles is making a troubling comeback worldwide.
Where is this happening?
A worrying surge in measles cases is being observed globally, including in regions that were previously declared measles-free, such as the United States.
Recent Statistics:
Europe saw a significant spike, with 127,350 measles cases reported in 2024, doubling the number of cases reported in 2023 and marking the highest incidence since 1997, according to a recent analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF (March 2025).
In Canada, nearly 150 measles cases were confirmed as of March 10, 2025, exceeding the total number of cases reported in 2024.
The United States has also seen a measles outbreak, with nearly 300 cases reported in Texas and New Mexico as of March 2025, including 2 deaths (one adult and one child, both unvaccinated).
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Afghanistan has reported a significant increase in measles cases since January 2025, describing the situation as alarming even given the country's endemic measles status
Countries with High Measles Transmission Rates (Source : U.S Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention)
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What's driving the measles resurgence?
The measles comeback can be attributed to several key factors. A significant concern is the decline in vaccination rates, which may be linked to:
Misinformation about vaccines
Disruptions to vaccination programs during the COVID-19 pandemic
Limited access to vaccines in conflict zones or fragile regions
Another factor contributing to the spread of measles is international travel, which allows the disease to spread quickly among unvaccinated or under-vaccinated populations.
Who's most at risk?
Unvaccinated or under-vaccinated individuals, including both adults and children, are most susceptible to contracting measles. While vaccinated individuals may still contract a mild form of the disease, this is relatively rare.
Why is measles a significant concern?
Measles can lead to severe complications, including:
Otitis (middle ear infection)
Pneumonia, the leading cause of measles-related deaths in young children
Encephalitis, which can cause seizures, deafness, or intellectual disability
Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE), a rare but fatal complication that can occur years after measles infection
What role should healthcare professionals play?
To combat the measles resurgence, healthcare professionals must adopt a multi-faceted approach:
Stay informed: Engage in continuous learning to stay updated on measles epidemiology, prevention, and treatment. Utilize resources such as online courses from UNICEF, WHO, and local institutions.
Educate others: Provide accurate and reliable information about vaccines, reinforce trust in public health authorities, and educate patients on vaccination benefits. Verify patients' vaccination status and recommend vaccination or catching up on missed doses as needed.
Advocate for change: Go beyond prevention and treatment by advocating for improved access to preventive and curative healthcare services for affected communities. Implementing these strategies can help bridge the gap in colon cancer screening for marginalized communities and reduce screening disparities nationwide.
A collaborative effort is essential, bringing together communities, healthcare providers, policymakers, and public health organizations to drive meaningful change.
What are your thoughts ?
This newsletter post is written by Dr. Anifa Kalay, founder of KALKIS Health Solutions/Solutions en Santé KALKIS, a social enterprise based in Ottawa.
Its mission is to contribute to addressing health inequalities in Canada and around the world by providing educational resources for healthcare professionals and researchers , as well as consulting services in health project development and management for organizations and individuals.