Canada has lost its measles elimination status after nearly three decades, amid an ongoing outbreak involving over 5,000 cases across nine provinces and one territory. In a statement on Monday, the Public Health Agency of Canada urged renewed vaccination efforts to curb transmission.
A McGill University expert is available to comment on this topic:
As measles cases surge in Canada, six babies have been born with congenital measles to unvaccinated mothers in Ontario since last fall. The MMR vaccine isn’t safe during pregnancy, so doctors urge anyone who could become pregnant to check their immunity now. In addition to being dangerous to newborns, measles can cause pneumonia, miscarriage and other life-threatening complications for expectant mothers.
Here is an expert from McGill University who can provide comment on this issue:
The flesh-eating screwworm parasite — whose larvae feed on animals and, in rare cases, humans — is spreading further north into Central America and Mexico, prompting Costa Rica to declare a national emergency. The parasite has historically been confined to parts of South America and the Caribbean.
Amid a global surge in measles cases, new research suggests that undernutrition may be exacerbating outbreaks in areas suffering from food insecurity.
A study involving over 600 fully vaccinated children in South Africa found those who were undernourished had substantially lower levels of antibodies against measles.
A teenager in British Columbia has been hospitalized with a suspected case of H5N1 avian flu, marking the first human infection in Canada during the recent outbreak. The global spread of bird flu in poultry farms and wild bird populations has led to sporadic human cases, raising concerns over its potential public health impact.
Quebec began rolling out its fall vaccination campaign against respiratory viruses on Monday, starting with vulnerable populations. Along with flu shots, a new COVID-19 vaccine adapted to the latest variants is available. This year, Quebec is among the first provinces to offer free RSV vaccines to infants, aiming to reduce the strain on hospitals.
As measles continues its slow spread across communities in the country, health officials are urging Canadians to stay vigilant and keep their vaccinations up-to-date. Health Minister Mark Holland said he is “deeply concerned” with the global measles outbreak and its potential impact on Canada. (Global News)
Here is an expert from McGill University who can provide comment on this issue:
McGill University professor Nicole Basta and her team have created an interactive online COVID-19 vaccine tracker, that provides real-time updates on progress in developing a safe and effective vaccine.
“The World Health Organization's (WHO) emergency committee on deadly yellow fever will meet on Aug. 31 to review outbreaks in Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola, a spokesman said on Tuesday, as a major vaccination campaigns continues.” (Reuters and The Washington Post)
Professor Oxhorn is an expert in democracy, economic development and Latin American Comparative Politics. He can comment on social, political, and economic angles.
philip [dot] oxhorn [at] mcgill [dot] ca (English, Spanish)
"A new virus invading parts of Central and South America and now the Caribbean is causing concern among people living in and travelling to infected countries. Transmitted by the aggressive Aedes mosquito, the Zika virus has spread to at least 23 countries and will likely infect tens of millions of people in a few short years." (CTV News)
