As measles spreads rapidly across North America, public health officials are sounding the alarm over rising infections — and mounting fatalities — in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Infants and Children Among the Victims

In a heartbreaking case out of Ontario, Canada, health officials confirmed this week that a premature infant has died after contracting measles in utero. The baby’s mother had not received the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, and doctors say the infection may have contributed to the premature birth and death, though other unrelated health complications were also involved.

South of the border, Mexico has reported four measles-related deaths in 2025. The United States has seen three fatalities so far this year: two children in Texas and one adult in New Mexico — all unvaccinated.

A Resurgence Not Seen in Decades

Health authorities are grappling with the largest measles outbreaks in decades. According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Mexico has recorded over 1,500 cases, while Canada has already surpassed all combined totals from the past 27 years with at least 2,755 cases, the majority in Ontario.

Meanwhile, the U.S. has logged at least 1,168 cases in 2025, according to federal data released Friday. Nearly 80% of these are tied to an outbreak that began in West Texas and has since spread to New Mexico, Oklahoma, and possibly Canada. It’s the second-highest case count in the U.S. since measles was officially declared eliminated in 2000.

Why Is This Happening?

The World Health Organization has declared the measles threat across the Americas as “high,” largely due to low vaccination rates.

Many outbreaks have been centered in Mennonite communities, which often have lower immunization coverage due to limited interaction with mainstream healthcare systems. In Mexico, the outbreak began in Chihuahua, home to a large Mennonite population, and closely connected to similar communities in Texas and Canada.

However, officials from PAHO clarified during a recent briefing that while the outbreaks originated in similar communities, most of the ongoing spread is now happening in the general population.

No Clear Genetic Link — Yet

Despite the cross-border spread, health experts caution that there’s currently no confirmed genetic evidence directly linking outbreaks across the three countries. Only a small portion of cases have had their viral genomes sequenced, making it difficult to track precise transmission chains.

Travel Warnings and Vaccine Urgency

With international travel amplifying the risk of spread, Mexico issued a travel advisory in April for those heading to the U.S. and Canada. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also updated its guidance, urging anyone planning international travel to ensure they’ve received two doses of the MMR vaccine.

Ontario’s chief medical officer, Dr. Kieran Moore, reinforced this message Thursday, particularly for those who may become pregnant:

“Anyone who is unvaccinated is at risk, and I urge everyone — especially those who may become pregnant — to ensure they have received two doses of the MMR vaccine, which will protect both a parent and baby. This vaccine has been safely used for over 50 years and is highly effective. Two doses provide nearly 100 percent protection.”

Source: CNN – As measles spreads across the Americas, outbreaks in Mexico and Canada have also turned deadly

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Public health officials in the United States are closely monitoring the ongoing bird flu outbreak, which has now been linked to raw milk products in California. Known as H5N1, this strain of avian influenza has infected both animals and humans, raising awareness about its risks and the need for preventive measures.

What Is Bird Flu, and What’s Happening in the U.S.?

Bird flu, or avian influenza, is a viral disease primarily affecting birds, caused by Avian Influenza A viruses. While it usually spreads among wild aquatic birds and domestic poultry, this outbreak has taken an unusual turn by infecting dairy cows, a development not previously observed.

Dr. Michael Ben-Aderet, an infectious disease specialist at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, described this as a unique occurrence:

“We haven’t seen bird flu cross into dairy cows or create this association with dairy workers before.”

As of now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed 58 human cases across seven states, with California reporting the highest number at 32. All individuals affected had direct contact with infected livestock.

Fortunately, all U.S. cases have been mild, and patients have recovered after receiving antiviral treatment. Experts emphasize that there is no evidence of person-to-person transmission, and the risk to the general public remains low.

Risks Associated with Raw Milk

Concerns about bird flu have extended to dairy products, particularly raw milk. In April, inactive virus fragments were detected in pasteurized milk. However, the pasteurization process ensures the virus cannot cause infection.

Albert Ko, an epidemiologist at Yale School of Public Health, explained:

“Pasteurization inactivates the virus, so even if fragments are found, they are not capable of causing illness.”

Despite this, raw milk remains a potential health hazard. Unlike pasteurized milk, raw milk is not treated to eliminate harmful pathogens, increasing the risk of foodborne illness.

In response to the outbreak, Raw Farm voluntarily recalled all its raw milk and cream products in California after bird flu was detected in its supply. Public health officials warn that handling raw milk can also pose risks.

Dr. Meghan Davis, an associate professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, highlighted this concern:

“Even spilling raw milk on your hands and touching your eyes could expose you to the virus.”

Are We Facing a Bird Flu Pandemic?

Currently, there is no bird flu pandemic in the U.S., and the risk of one remains low. However, each human infection increases the chance of the virus mutating to enable human-to-human transmission.

Health experts are particularly cautious as the winter respiratory virus season approaches. Seasonal flu viruses can exchange genetic material with other influenza strains, potentially creating a hybrid strain capable of spreading between people.

Dr. Ko emphasized the importance of vigilance:

“With so much bird-to-animal transmission and now cattle involvement, the risk of a mutation enabling human-to-human spread is a concern.”

Proactive Measures Against Bird Flu

To prevent future risks, health organizations are taking proactive steps:

• Vaccine Development: The World Health Organization is advancing research into a human bird flu vaccine using mRNA technology.
• Funding for Readiness: In October, the U.S. government allocated $72 million to ensure non-mRNA bird flu vaccines are available if needed.

At this time, there are no recommendations for the general public to receive a bird flu vaccine. However, public health officials encourage awareness and caution, especially among those in contact with animals or raw dairy products.

The bird flu outbreak is a reminder of the interconnectedness of human and animal health. While the immediate risk remains low, staying informed and following safety precautions can help mitigate potential threats.

Source

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