The Tue Post (Web News) Canada’s largest province, Ontario, has reported its first measles death of the year. The infected patient was a newborn baby who contracted the virus from his mother in the womb.
According to officials, the baby’s condition continued to deteriorate after birth, and he eventually succumbed to the infection.
“This case is extremely tragic and unusual,” said a spokesperson for the provincial health department. “The newborn was infected with the virus before birth, because the mother contracted measles during pregnancy.” The incident highlights the risk of a resurgence of measles in Canada, especially in areas where vaccination rates have declined.
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), 87 cases of measles were reported in the first two months of 2025, compared to a total of 61 cases in 2024. The highest number of cases were reported in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia.
Measles symptoms
Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus. Its symptoms include high fever,* cough, runny nose, burning eyes, and a red rash (starting on the face and spreading throughout the body). If not treated promptly, this disease can be fatal for children.
Dr. Jane Franklin, a pediatrician at Toronto General Hospital, says > “This incident is a warning. If we don’t take vaccination seriously, diseases that were considered eradicated, like measles, could re-emerge. Pregnant women should especially check their vaccination status.” The MMR vaccine in Canada is given in two doses, 1. First dose: at 12 to 15 months of age, 2. Second dose:
The vaccination rate for children aged 4 to 6 years in Ontario is 91%, but this is still below the WHO-recommended target of 95%, which is necessary to prevent the spread of measles at the community level. The Ontario Ministry of Health has taken several immediate steps after the incident, including holding free vaccination clinics in affected areas, awareness campaigns on measles symptoms, and testing and monitoring vaccinations in schools. The Minister of Health has appealed to the public: > “Please get your children vaccinated on time. This is important not only for the protection of your family but also for the protection of the entire community.”
