Canada has half as many measles cases as U.S.: WHO data
Measles data from the World Health Organization show that Canada has half the number of confirmed cases as the United States, despite having a population only about one-tenth the size of its neighbour.
The World Health Organization reports that Canada currently has half the number of confirmed measles cases compared to the United States, despite having a population that is only about one-tenth the size of its neighbor. As of July 18, WHO has documented 47,459 confirmed measles cases across the Americas, which is three times higher than the total reported cases from last year's same period.
The United States has reported 2,260 cases, while Canada has confirmed 1,107 cases. The disease has claimed 45 lives so far this year in the Americas, mainly in Guatemala and Mexico. WHO has issued an alert urging the region to enhance its vaccination, surveillance, and rapid outbreak response measures in light of the rising measles cases.
Daniel Salas, the executive manager of the WHO's regional office for the Americas, known as the Pan American Health Organization, emphasized in a statement that measles poses no room for complacency. He reiterated the importance of achieving high vaccination coverage, early detection of suspected cases, and rapid response to disrupt transmission chains.
PAHO highlighted that both North and South America are experiencing their highest number of confirmed measles cases in over two decades, with approximately 186,000 cases reported worldwide as of July. This figure represents a 12 percent increase compared to the same period last year. The Canadian Press reported this information on August 8, 2026.
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