Measles Makes a Comeback: What's Happening in Canada and the U. S. ?

Measles is back, and it's causing trouble in both Canada and the U. S. Canada recently lost its measles elimination status. This means the country has been struggling to control the spread of the virus for over a year. The outbreak started in New Brunswick and has since spread widely. Sadly, two babies who got measles before they were born didn't survive. Meanwhile, the U. S. is also in danger of losing its measles elimination status. The outbreak began in West Texas and has since spread to other states like New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona. So far, there have been over 1, 681 cases in the U. S. this year alone. That's the highest number in more than 30 years. Three people have died, including two young girls from the epicenter of the outbreak in Texas.So, who decides if a country has eliminated measles? The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is in charge of this. They have a group of experts who review data from countries to see if they're controlling the spread of measles. One of the main reasons a country can lose its elimination status is if there's ongoing transmission of the same strain of the virus for a full year. Measles is no joke. It's one of the most contagious viruses out there. It can stay in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the room. If you're not vaccinated, you're at a high risk of getting sick. So, what's next for Canada and the U. S. ? Health officials will need to come up with a plan to improve vaccination rates and better track the spread of the virus. It's important to remember that vaccines are one of the best ways to protect ourselves and others from measles. By getting vaccinated, we can help prevent outbreaks and keep our communities safe.