The Ontario measles outbreak has become so large that public health officials in the state of New York have included the province in a travel warning that urges residents to vaccinate before visiting.
“Measles is just a car trip!” Read the measles travel notice of April 2 for all New York of the New York State Health Department.
“Currently, measles outbreaks are occurring in parts of the United States and Canada, especially in Ontario and worldwide.”
The advice also lists the following countries that have a lot of measles cases: Yemen, Pakistan, India, Thailand, Ethiopia, Romania, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam.
“Measles is a highly contagious virus. About 90 percent of people who are exposed to a person with measles will become infected if they are not vaccinated. Because measles is so contagious, the borders easily cross,” the notice continues.
The advice indicates that Canada’s outbreak includes more than 600 cases with the majority located in Ontario.
According to Public Health Ontario, a total of 655 cases of confirmed and probable measles have been informed in Ontario this year as of April 2. Of this total, 560 and 95 are confirmed are probable.
CBC Toronto has communicated with the Ministry of Health of Ontario to comment, but has not had news yet.
In the travel notice, New York officials urge residents to make sure they are completely vaccinated against measles before traveling to another country or an area in the United States, where there is an outbreak. He says that the best way to protect against measles is to ensure that immunizations are up to date with the paper-measles-rubella vaccine.
With the next season of spring and summer trips, the notice says that people who are not protected can collect the disease while traveling and extending it once they return home.
“Big measles outbreaks are possible when measles cases reach at risk populations with low measles immunization rates,” says the warning.
“Measles can be a serious illness,” says New York official
In a press release on April 2, New York officials say that travelers should plan to be vaccinated against measles at least two weeks before departure. The department recommends two doses for immunization.
“Measles is more common in different places and the exposure during the trip is something we should consider,” said State Health Commissioner, Dr. James McDonald, in the statement.
“Measles can be a serious illness. It is not just an eruption; it can cause pneumonia, hospitalization and even death.”
The statement says that the total number of measles cases in the US. In the first three months of 2025, it is already greater than the total number in the USA. In all 2024.
As of March 26, 483 measles cases have been reported in the United States, with most in New Mexico and Texas.
In the statement, New York officials add: “A weld of vaccine misinformation in recent years has eroded public trust in vaccines, which contributes to an increase in the vaccine and the decrease in vaccination rates.
“In addition, pandemic may have caused people to be delayed in vaccines. However, due to the seriousness of measles, the department encourages everyone to obtain the MMR vaccine.”
Measles symptoms include high fever, cough, nose that are, small spots with white centers inside the mouth, pain of pain, light sensitivity and a red stained eruption.
