16.51°C Vancouver

Jun 9, 2025 5:56 PM - The Canadian Press

Six infants born with congenital measles in Ontario from unvaccinated mothers

Share On
six-infants-born-with-congenital-measles-in-ontario-from-unvaccinated-mothers
He says the infant also faced other serious medical complications unrelated to the virus.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

Ontario's chief medical officer of health says six infants have been born with congenital measles since an outbreak began last fall, adding they were infected in the womb through mothers who were not vaccinated.

Dr. Kieran Moore says these infants recovered, but their infections could have been prevented if their mothers had been vaccinated and protected from contracting measles.

Congenital measles can result in severe complications, including inflammation of the brain and death.

On Thursday, Moore announced an infant born prematurely and infected with measles died in southwestern Ontario.

He says the infant also faced other serious medical complications unrelated to the virus.

In an interview with The Canadian Press, Moore says 40 pregnant people have been infected with measles in Ontario, and only two were vaccinated.

Moore suggests unvaccinated pregnant people isolate if they live in a community with active measles cases. Health officials have reported more than 2,000 cases in the province since the outbreak began in October.

The measles mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is not recommended once a person is pregnant because it contains a live virus that could theoretically be transmitted to the fetus.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends unvaccinated pregnant people get one dose of intravenous immunoglobulin within six days if they are exposed to measles.

However, Moore said that message faces hurdles similar to those around vaccine hesitancy.

“Some people, if they don't want a vaccine, they may not want the immunoglobulin either. That may be a philosophical choice,” Moore said Friday.

In an editorial published Monday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, Dr. Catherine Varner argues pregnant people are "bearing the burden" of Canada's measles outbreak.

“Pregnant people are often at higher risk than the general population in infectious disease outbreaks. As such, they cannot be an afterthought in preventive strategies and health-care systems’ responses,” Varner writes.

Moore said the vast majority of pregnant people in Ontario are fully vaccinated against measles.

“It's only a very small subgroup of people who have chosen not to get vaccinated who are having the complications,” he said.

"I know some will concentrate on the glass being half-empty. You know, to have that level of protection in the face of the risks globally, I think is quite an accomplishment.

"I'd love to have 100 per cent, but we have to work with these communities that have chosen not to be vaccinated, and that is a long and difficult conversation that I think all of our health-care workers are dedicated to having."

Latest news

police-investigate-shooting-in-northwest-surrey-2
BCSep 19, 2025

Police investigate shooting in Northwest Surrey

Surrey Police Service (SPS) is investigating a shooting at a business in Northwest Surrey. On September 19, 2025, at approximately 8:35 am, Surrey Police Service received reports of a shooting near 108 Avenue and 125 Street, Surrey. Police arrived on scene and located numerous bullet holes in the rear of a business. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries. SPS Frontline Investigation Support (FLIS) Team are attending and assisting with the investigation. The motive for the shooting is still under investigation. Anyone with information about this incident, the identity of the suspect,
liberal-mp-kody-blois-says-to-expect-more-ministers-visiting-china-after-canola-trip
CanadaSep 19, 2025

Liberal MP Kody Blois says to expect more ministers visiting China, after canola trip

Liberal MP Kody Blois says to expect more high-level visits to China, as Canada tries working out a trade spat targeting Canadian canola. Blois is the parliamentary secretary to Prime Minister Mark Carney, and he joined Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe on a visit to China earlier this month to advocate for Beijing to drop its tariffs on Canadian canola. China imposed significant tariffs on Canadian canola this year following Ottawa's move to match U.S. tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. Blois says during the four-day trip, he and Moe visited Chinese officials in the country's trade, foreign-a
rcmp-assistant-commissioner-david-teboul-charged-with-assault-choking-in-b-c
BCSep 19, 2025

RCMP Assistant Commissioner David Teboul charged with assault, choking, in B.C.

One of the top RCMP officers in British Columbia has been charged with multiple counts of assault while off-duty, leading to the appointment of a special prosecutor. The BC Prosecution Service says Assistant Commissioner David Teboul, who is the RCMP's Pacific Region commander, is accused of assault and assault by choking against one person, and a single count of assault against a second person. A news release from the prosecution service says Teboul was charged in provincial court on Thursday, as a result of alleged offences in Abbotsford on July 2. It says his first appearance in court is sc
BCSep 19, 2025

Workers, communities affected by tariffs will benefit from expanded supports in B.C.

People adversely affected by tariffs imposed by the United States will benefit from expanded supports through two new initiatives delivered by the Province in partnership with the Government of Canada. Originally focused on forestry, the Build Your Own Future (BYOF) program is being expanded to support workers across all industries affected by U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s tariffs. The program offers five-day business bootcamps, with one-on-one coaching and mentorship to help displaced workers transition into entrepreneurship. Participants who complete the program are eligible for a $5,00
pierre-poilievre-targets-mark-carneys-mexico-trip
CanadaSep 19, 2025

Pierre Poilievre targets Mark Carney's Mexico trip

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre today targeted Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to Mexico, saying that Carney has returned empty-handed. Poilievre said that the Prime Minister's visit was all about air-to-air talk and nothing but fake deals. He said that our free trade with Mexico has been in place for three decades and Carney's visit has added nothing new to it except a photo shoot. Poilievre is also attacking the Prime Minister over the delay in the federal budget, saying that Carney calls himself a 'great economist' but never ask him why the budget was delayed so much or how big the

Related News