New Measles Outbreak Emerges in Quebec
Quebec is experiencing a new outbreak of measles, confirmed by health authorities with three cases reported to date. This situation has raised concerns among medical professionals as the festive season approaches.
Details of the Outbreak
The first confirmed case involves a resident from the Laurentians who contracted measles during a trip. According to Marie-Pierre Blier, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Social Services, this individual visited the pediatric emergency center in Saint-Eustache on November 28. Over 150 contacts have been traced related to this location.
The remaining two cases are linked to the first but do not necessarily involve individuals from the same area. Due to the geographical proximity of the Laurentians to Montreal, Dr. Mylène Drouin, the regional public health director, has sent letters to parents and staff at daycare facilities and schools on the island. Families are being urged to check their vaccination status and to schedule appointments if they have not received two doses of the vaccine.
The Importance of Vaccination
Vaccination is crucial as there is no treatment for measles. Dr. Drouin emphasized that in the event of an outbreak in schools or daycare settings, all unprotected individuals would be excluded and required to isolate at home, possibly for several weeks. Measles is highly contagious and is transmitted through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. Initial symptoms can resemble a cold, including fever, cough, and nasal congestion, followed by a rash.
- High-risk groups include babies under one year old.
- Unvaccinated pregnant women are also vulnerable.
Contagion Risks During the Holiday Period
The timing of this measles outbreak is concerning, especially as the holiday season encourages increased contact among people. According to Dr. Maude Paquette, a pediatrician and microbiologist, one case in an unvaccinated population can rapidly escalate, infecting up to 18 unimmunized individuals.
Winter facilitates the virus’s spread due to more indoor gatherings. Additionally, numerous vacation-related travels increase the risk. Dr. Paul Le Guerrier, a medical advisor in the Immunization and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases team, explained that unvaccinated travelers can bring measles back to Quebec, potentially sparking small outbreaks.
Vaccination Coverage in Quebec
Current data shows that over half of Quebec’s regions fail to meet the 95% vaccination coverage target among primary and secondary school students. This is critical, as Canada, which had eliminated measles since 1998, lost its status as a measles-free country in November 2025 due to ongoing outbreaks. The last Quebec outbreak lasted from December 2024 to April 2025, while a measles epidemic began in New Brunswick in October 2024, affecting other provinces, including Alberta.
In 2025, Canada reported 5,298 measles cases, evidencing the urgent need to enhance vaccination efforts. Increasing immunization rates will play a vital role in curbing future outbreaks.
