Measles and rubella weekly monitoring report:

Weekly surveillance reports and monitoring maps for measles and rubella.

  • Last updated: 2026-01-19

This report provides a weekly summary of measles and rubella cases in Canada. Data are updated every Monday. This report was last updated on March 21, 2025 with data up to and including epidemiological week 10 (March 2 to 8, 2025).

Previous versions of this weekly report are also available.

On this page

Key points

  • In epidemiological week {} (March 2 to 8), 123 new measles cases (105 confirmed, probableFootnote 1) were reported with rash onsetFootnote 2 in 2026Footnote 3.
    • In addition, in epidemiological week {} (March 2 to 8), {} new measles cases ({} confirmed, {} probable) were reported with rash onsetFootnote 2 in 2025Footnote 4 and have been included in the report for 2025.
  • In 2026Footnote 3, 347 measles cases (278 confirmed, 69 probableFootnote 1) and {} rubella cases have been reported in Canada.
  • Individuals travelling outside of Canada are encouraged to consult the travel health notices for information on measles and rubella outbreaks occurring in other countries.

Measles

Current measles situation

  • In 2026 Footnote 3 , a total of 347 measles cases (278 confirmed, 69 probableFootnote 1) have been reported by 3 jurisdictions (Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec), as of April 12, 2025.
  • In epidemiological week 10 (March 2 to 8), 123 new measles cases (105 confirmed, 18 probableFootnote 1) with rash onsetFootnote 2 in 2026Footnote 3 were reported by 3 jurisdictions (Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec).
    • In addition, in epidemiological week 10 (March 2 to 8), {} new measles cases ({} confirmed, {} probable) were reported with rash onsetFootnote 2 in 2025Footnote 4 and have been included in the report for 2025.
  • There are a total of 463 recent Footnote 5 measles cases (378 confirmed, 85 probableFootnote 1), reported by 29 health units within 6 jurisdictions (Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan), as of April 12, 2025.

Figure 1. Geographic distribution of , 2026Footnote 3 (n={{}})

Use the dropdown above, and hover over or select map regions below to see the number of total, new or recent measles cases in Canada.

Canada

There were 0 cases of measles in Quebec in week 16 (April 13 to 19, 2025).

The epidemiological week Footnote 6 of the last rash onsetFootnote 2 in Quebec was week 11 (March 9 to 15, 2025).

Figure 1: Text description
Notes

When interpreting the information in Figure 1, please consider the following:

  • The dates included in the reporting period, noting there is a small reporting delay
  • This data only represents reported cases and is likely an underestimate of the total number of cases that have occurred in Canada
  • The number of cases by epidemiological week may differ from the numbers reported by each jurisdiction due to a reporting lag as well as variations in how this is reported (e.g. reporting cases by rash onset date versus date reported to health unit). For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the specific provincial/territorial websites.

Ongoing multijurisdictional outbreak in Canada

There is a multijurisdictional measles outbreak ongoing in Canada. Of the 500 measles cases (410 confirmed, 90 probableFootnote 1) reported in 2025Footnote 3, most cases ({{}} cases; {{}} confirmed, {{}} probableFootnote 1) are linked to this outbreakFootnote a.

Since the outbreak began in October 2024, a total of cases ( confirmed, probableFootnote 1) have been reported in this outbreakFootnote a, as of {{}}. The measles strain circulating in this outbreak is wild-type (genotype D8).

Table 2. Multijurisdictional measles outbreak in Canada (October 2024 to {{}})
Region Total cases Footnote a Epidemiological weekFootnote 6 of last rash onsetFootnote 2 Description
Table 2 reference a

The multijurisdictional outbreak began in New Brunswick in October 2024 with a case that was exposed to measles outside of Canada. Cases with symptom onset on or after October 24, 2024 are considered part of this outbreak based on laboratory evidence (e.g., measles virus sequence is associated with the outbreak) or epidemiologic evidence. Epidemiologic evidence includes direct contact with an outbreak case or exposure at a common exposure setting. Cases may also be attributed to the outbreak if there is no evidence to suggest another source and either (1) the case is a member of one of the impacted communities or (2) the case reports travel to, or resides in, a geographic area with recent measles cases associated with this outbreak.

Return to table 2 reference a

The outbreak summaries are based on information received by the Canadian Measles and Rubella Surveillance System and may differ from the numbers reported by each jurisdiction. Case investigations are ongoing and outbreak associated case counts may be updated (e.g. cases added or removed) as new information becomes available. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the specific provincial/territorial websites included in the table hyperlinks.

For information on localized outbreaks, please refer to provincial/territorial websites.

Epidemiological curve

This figure displays cases of measles by epidemiological week of rash onsetFootnote 2, and exposure source or province/territory.

Figure 2. Epidemiological curve for measles cases, by epidemiological weekFootnote 6 of rash onset Footnote 2 and Footnote 7, 2026Footnote 3 (n=96)
Notes
  • If the rash was not observed or the rash onset date was unknown, the earliest available date from the following was used: symptom onset, laboratory specimen collection, public health investigation, date reported to public health unit, or the date reported to PHAC.
Table 3. Epidemiological summary of measles cases in Canada, 2026Footnote 3 (n=278)
Case characteristics Category Count Percentage
Table 3 reference a

Countries of travel for cases exposed outside of Canada include: {{}}

Return to table 2 reference b

Historical measles cases

Measles was first eliminated in Canada in 1998. In 2025, Canada’s measles elimination status was lost due to sustained transmission within Canada for more than one year of the measles virus strain associated with the multijurisdictional outbreak. During the period that measles was eliminated in Canada (1998 to 2024), there was an average of 91 measles cases reported annually and between 0 and 751 cases reported each year. In 2025, 5,425 cases were reported.

Figure 3. Number of measles cases reported in Canada by year of rash onset from 1998 to February 15, 2025
Figure 3: Text description
Year Number of confirmed cases Number of probable cases
1998 17 N/A
1999 32 N/A
2000 207 N/A
2001 38 N/A
2002 9 N/A
2003 17 N/A
2004 9 N/A
2005 8 N/A
2006 13 N/A
2007 101 N/A
2008 61 N/A
2009 14 N/A
2010 99 N/A
2011 752 N/A
2012 10 N/A
2013 83 N/A
2014 418 N/A
2015 196 N/A
2016 11 N/A
2017 45 N/A
2018 29 N/A
2019 113 N/A
2020 1 N/A
2021 0 N/A
2022 3 N/A
2023 12 N/A
2024 146 N/A
2025 5045 310
Notes
  • Case counts for 2026Footnote 3 are not for the full year and include only cases reported up to epidemiological week 1, 2026.
  • All cases with rash onsetFootnote 2 in epidemiological weeks 1 to 53, 2025 (December 29, 2024 - January 3, 2026) have been included in 2025 case counts.
  • ProbableFootnote 1 cases are only included for 2025 and 2026. They are excluded in previous years as they are not systematically reported to the Canadian Measles and Rubella Surveillance System.

Rubella and congenital rubella syndrome/infection (CRS/CRI)

Data source

Related links

Footnotes

Footnote 1

While all confirmed cases of measles in Canada should be notified at the national level, national reporting of probable cases is requested upon provincial/territorial discretion. In 2025, some provinces/territories began reporting probable measles cases nationally in response to the multijurisdictional outbreak; however, these are not systematically reported by all provinces/territories.

Return to footnote 1 referrer

Footnote 2

If the rash was not observed or the rash onset date was unknown, the earliest available date from the following was used: symptom onset, laboratory specimen collection, public health investigation, date reported to public health unit, or the date reported to PHAC.

Return to footnote 2 referrer

Footnote 3

Measles case count for 2026 includes cases with rash onset in epidemiological weeks 1 to , 2026 (January 4 to ). As a result, cases with rash onset in 2026, but occurring in epidemiological week 53, 2025 (December 28, 2025 to January 3, 2026) are included in 2025 case counts.

Return to footnote 3 referrer

Footnote 4

Measles case count for 2025 includes cases with rash onset in epidemiological weeks 1 to 53, 2025 (December 29, 2024 to January 3, 2026). As a result, 1 case with rash onset in 2024, but occurring in epidemiological week 1, 2025 (December 29, 2024 to January 4, 2025) and {{}} cases with rash onset in 2026, but occurring in epidemiological week 53, 2025 (December 28, 2025 - January 3, 2026) are included.

Return to footnote 4 referrer

Footnote 5

Recent measles cases are defined as cases with a rash onset date within 42 days (two incubation periods) of the end date of the reporting period. The 42-day period allows for secondary cases to be identified and reported should transmission be ongoing. Recent cases are distinct from infectious measles cases that can spread the virus. Recent measles cases include cases with rash onset date between and .

Return to footnote 5 referrer

Footnote 6
Table 4. Epidemiological week number and corresponding dates for 2026
Table 4. Epidemiological week number and corresponding dates for 2026
Epidemiological week number Week start date Week end date
1 January 4, 2026 January 10, 2026
2 January 11, 2026 January 17, 2026
3 January 18, 2026 January 24, 2026
4 January 25, 2026 January 31, 2026
5 February 1, 2026 February 7, 2026
6 February 8, 2026 February 14, 2026
7 February 15, 2026 February 21, 2026
8 February 22, 2026 February 28, 2026
9 March 1, 2026 March 7, 2026
10 March 8, 2026 March 14, 2026
11 March 15, 2026 March 21, 2026
12 March 22, 2026 March 28, 2026
13 March 29, 2026 April 4, 2026
14 April 5, 2026 April 11, 2026
15 April 12, 2026 April 18, 2026
16 April 19, 2026 April 25, 2026
17 April 26, 2026 May 2, 2026
18 May 3, 2026 May 9, 2026
19 May 10, 2026 May 16, 2026
20 May 17, 2026 May 23, 2026
21 May 24, 2026 May 30, 2026
22 May 31, 2026 June 6, 2026
23 June 7, 2026 June 13, 2026
24 June 14, 2026 June 20, 2026
25 June 21, 2026 June 27, 2026
26 June 28, 2026 July 4, 2026
27 July 5, 2026 July 11, 2026
28 July 12, 2026 July 18, 2026
29 July 19, 2026 July 25, 2026
30 July 26, 2026 August 1, 2026
31 August 2, 2026 August 8, 2026
32 August 9, 2026 August 15, 2026
33 August 16, 2026 August 22, 2026
34 August 23, 2026 August 29, 2026
35 August 30, 2026 September 5, 2026
36 September 6, 2026 September 12, 2026
37 September 13, 2026 September 19, 2026
38 September 20, 2026 September 26, 2026
39 September 27, 2026 October 3, 2026
40 October 4, 2026 October 10, 2026
41 October 11, 2026 October 17, 2026
42 October 18, 2026 October 24, 2026
43 October 25, 2026 October 31, 2026
44 November 1, 2026 November 7, 2026
45 November 8, 2026 November 14, 2026
46 November 15, 2026 November 21, 2026
47 November 22, 2026 November 28, 2026
48 November 29, 2026 December 5, 2026
49 December 6, 2026 December 12, 2026
50 December 13, 2026 December 19, 2026
51 December 20, 2026 December 26, 2026
52 December 27, 2026 January 2, 2027

Return to footnote 6 referrer

Footnote 7

Exposure source is categorized as:

  1. "Exposed outside of Canada" when the case had international travel history during their exposure period (7 to 21 days before rash onset)
  2. "Exposed in Canada, epidemiologically/virologically linked" when the case is epidemiologically and/or virologically linked to a previous confirmed measles case or known measles exposure source
  3. "Unknown exposure source" when the source of the case is unknown (case did not report international travel during their exposure period AND is not known to be linked to a previous measles case or known measles exposure source)

Return to footnote 7 referrer

Footnote 8

National working case definitions for congenital measles were developed in collaboration with provincial/territorial partners to support case classification and information sharing in the current multijurisdictional outbreak:

  1. A laboratory-confirmed congenital measles case is defined by having had laboratory detection of measles virus RNA by PCR AND:
    1. the specimen was collected and/or symptom onset within the first 10 days of life AND
    2. in a neonate whose mother/birthing parent was a confirmed or probable measles case and/or in a neonate with no other suspected source of exposure to measles after birth.
  2. A probable congenital measles case is defined by having had clinical illness compatible with measles with symptom onset in the first 10 days of life, in the absence of appropriate laboratory tests AND in a neonate whose mother/birthing parent was a confirmed or probable measles case and/or in a neonate with no other suspected source of exposure to measles after birth.

Return to footnote 8 referrer

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