TORONTO (Reuters) -An infant infected with measles has died in southwestern Ontario, Canada, the province’s chief medical officer of health said in a statement on Thursday.
The death was the first caused by the contagious disease in Canada in 2025.
“An infant, born prematurely and infected with measles, has tragically passed away in southwestern Ontario. The infant contracted the virus before birth from their mother, who had not received the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine,” said Kieran Moore, the province’s CMO of health.
“While measles may have been a contributing factor in both the premature birth and death, the infant also faced other serious medical complications unrelated to the virus,” Moore added.
No more personal or medical details about the infant’s death were shared out of respect for the family’s privacy.
Canada has seen an increase in measles cases this year, with more reported in the first two months of 2025 than all of last year. The disease has been considered eliminated in the country since 1998.
Measles, which poses a risk to infants, is one of the most contagious diseases and can lead to severe complications, including pneumonia, brain swelling, premature birth and death, in rare cases, the statement said.
“Since October 28, 2024, Ontario has reported a cumulative total of 2,009 measles cases linked to an outbreak that began in New Brunswick,” Moore said in the statement, adding that the vast majority of cases were among those who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown.
The country reported a total of 146 measles cases last year, according to government data.
Moore also said that everyone who is unvaccinated is at risk, and urged “everyone, but especially those who may become pregnant, to ensure they have received two doses of the MMR vaccine, which will protect both a parent and baby.”
As of Sunday, the United States had reported 1,088 cases this year, crossing the 1,000-case mark for the first time in five years. The outbreak in Texas has led to the deaths of two children.
(Reporting by Ryan Jones, Bhargav Acharya and Puyaan Singh; Editing by Doina Chiacu, Maju Samuel and Alan Barona)
Comments