Rise in measles cases ‘deeply concerning’: Health officials

Two recent cases of measles in Canada have raised the concern of health officials.

This disease is mainly spread in Europe.

The two fresh cases identified in Quebec and Ontario have not been linked to any travelers nor were they exposed to other measles cases.

Officials believe the two children may have been infected in their own community, which means the contagious disease is quietly spreading to some communities across Canada.

According to reports, at least 9 cases have been confirmed in Canada so far.

However, medical experts say the likelihood of further spread in Canada is low, but if it is found in communities where vaccination rates are low, there is a risk of spreading.

According to federal government data, 79 percent of children received both doses of measles in 2021, 83 percent in 2019 and 87 percent in 2017.

This shows that nearly two out of 10 children did not get the complete vaccination.

The new cases come as a recent survey by the Angus Reid Institute says 1 in 6 Canadian parents are against vaccinating children.