Canada has officially lost its measles elimination status after nearly three decades, marking a major setback for public health. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) made the decision after determining that measles had been spreading within the country for more than a year. Because elimination status applies to the entire region, the Americas have also lost their designation as measles-free.

The outbreak has been especially difficult to control because vaccination rates have fallen in several parts of the country. More than 5,000 cases have been reported across nine provinces and one northern territory, with most infections found in communities where immunization levels are low. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) acknowledged that the virus has continued to circulate despite

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