Key Takeaways
- The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) warns that the upcoming FIFA World Cup could raise the likelihood of measles being imported into Canada due to high global circulation and easy airborne spread.
- Ontario has already issued a detailed infectious‑disease risk assessment for the tournament, flagging crowded venues, international travel, and falling vaccination rates as key concerns.
- British Columbia has not yet released its own risk assessment publicly, though Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) completed one with the B.C. Centre for Disease Control that rates measles risk during the event as “medium or moderate.”
- Local experts stress the need for clear public messaging urging residents and visitors to verify and update measles vaccination status before large numbers arrive.
- Canada has recorded over 900 measles cases in 2025 so far, with the majority in Alberta and Manitoba; B.C. alone reported 470 cases, 80 % of them in the province’s northeast, where immunization rates are low.
- The current national outbreak traces back to a New Brunswick case in fall 2024 linked to foreign exposure, echoing a post‑2010 Winter Olympics measles cluster in B.C.
- While most adults in Canada remain immune, experts warn that under‑vaccinated geographic pockets could sustain transmission if the virus is introduced.
- Canada lost its measles‑elimination status in 2024; regaining it requires a full year without sustained transmission.
Overview of PHAC Warning
The Public Health Agency of Canada issued a risk assessment indicating that the forthcoming FIFA World Cup poses a “high likelihood” of measles importation into the country. The assessment bases this judgment on two primary factors: the widespread presence of measles worldwide and the disease’s efficient airborne transmission, which allows it to spread quickly in crowded settings such as stadiums, fan zones, and public transit. PHAC’s warning serves as an early alert for provincial and municipal health authorities to strengthen surveillance, preparedness, and public communication ahead of the influx of international visitors.
Ontario’s Proactive Risk Assessment
Ontario has taken the lead among provinces by publishing a detailed infectious‑disease risk assessment specifically for the World Cup. The document highlights three inter‑related risks: large gatherings that create dense crowds, the surge in international travel that brings potentially infected individuals from regions with lower vaccination coverage, and a gradual decline in routine measles immunization rates within Ontario itself. By identifying these drivers, Ontario aims to guide targeted interventions such as pop‑up vaccination clinics, heightened clinic alertness for febrile rash illnesses, and travel‑related health advisories.
British Columbia’s Current Situation
Unlike Ontario, British Columbia has not yet made its World Cup‑focused risk assessment publicly available. However, Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) confirms that it has been collaborating with the B.C. Centre for Disease Control for several years to develop such an assessment. While the full findings remain unpublished, VCH has indicated that the internal evaluation classifies measles risk during the tournament as “medium or moderate.” This suggests that officials see a notable but not overwhelming threat, contingent on existing immunity levels and the effectiveness of preventive measures.
Expert Concerns from Dr. Brian Conway
Dr. Brian Conway, medical director of the Vancouver Infectious Diseases Centre, expressed concern over the apparent lack of visible public‑health messaging related to the World Cup. He warned that without a clear, coordinated plan to inform the public, opportunities to prevent measles importation could be missed. Conway urged health authorities to actively encourage residents and visitors alike to check their measles vaccination status before the event, emphasizing that proactive verification is a simple yet powerful tool to curb potential outbreaks.
Vaccination Status Advice and Public Messaging
Echoing Conway’s call, Vancouver Coastal Health has issued reminders for parents to review their children’s immunization records, noting rising measles cases globally and ongoing outbreaks in Ontario and Texas. Health officials stress that the “key is to advise the population”: individuals should confirm they are up‑to‑date with the measles‑containing vaccine (usually two doses of MMR) and, if necessary, receive a booster. Additionally, they recommend informing incoming travelers that British Columbia remains an area where measles circulation is possible, thereby encouraging visitors to ensure they are protected before arrival.
National Measles Case Statistics
As of mid‑2025, Canada has reported more than 900 measles cases across seven jurisdictions, with the bulk concentrated in Alberta and Manitoba. These numbers reflect a resurgence not seen in recent years and underscore the fragility of the country’s measles control efforts. The upward trend is driven by pockets of under‑vaccination, importation from endemic regions, and occasional lapses in timely case identification and containment.
Historical Context: 2024 Outbreak and 2010 Olympics
The current wave of measles cases is believed to have originated from a New Brunswick case in the fall of 2024, wherein the infected individual had been exposed abroad. This mirrors a previous episode following the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games, when 82 measles cases were confirmed in British Columbia after the event attracted large international crowds. Both examples illustrate how major gatherings can act as conduits for importing infectious diseases, especially when vaccination coverage in source regions is suboptimal.
Vancouver Coastal Health’s Planning and Risk Classification
VCH officials, including Deputy Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Mark Lysyshyn, reiterated that the health authority has been preparing for the World Cup for several years. Their joint risk assessment with the B.C. Centre for Disease Control placed measles risk at a “moderate” level, citing VCH’s strong baseline immunization rates as a mitigating factor. Lysyshyn noted that VCH has already managed “dozens” of measles importations during the ongoing outbreak without observing onward transmission, attributing this success to high community immunity within the region.
City of Vancouver’s Preparedness
The City of Vancouver affirmed that it maintains comprehensive operational and emergency‑management plans designed to respond swiftly to any public‑health issues that might arise during the tournament. City officials stated they are ready to “respond appropriately should issues arise,” indicating coordination between municipal services, health agencies, and law enforcement to manage potential outbreaks, enforce isolation measures if needed, and disseminate timely information to residents and visitors.
Academic Perspective from Dr. Monika Naus
Dr. Monika Naus, a professor at UBC’s School of Population and Public Health, acknowledged that large international gatherings inherently carry a risk of infectious‑disease spread. However, she argued that the overall threat to the broader British Columbia public remains limited because most adults possess immunity to measles, either through prior vaccination or past infection. Naus cautioned that the principal vulnerability lies in geographically clustered under‑vaccinated communities; if the virus reaches these pockets, localized transmission could occur despite high regional immunity levels.
Status of Measles Elimination in Canada
The Public Health Agency of Canada reported last year that the Pan American Health Organization notified it that Canada no longer holds measles‑elimination status. To regain that designation, the country must demonstrate an interruption of measles transmission for a full 12‑month period. Achieving this goal will depend on sustaining high vaccination coverage, swiftly detecting and containing imported cases, and maintaining robust public‑health communication—especially in the context of high‑profile events like the FIFA World Cup that increase the probability of disease importation.