The Long Shadows of Measles

Measles case numbers in Ontario are now higher than the total registered cases in the entire United States.

This week’s report from Ontario Public Health puts the total at 1,646 cases of the disease since January. In Alberta, measles is spreading even quicker, outpacing Ontario in growth per-capita. 

Nearly three decades ago Canada had declared measles completely eliminated. But now the country is facing a situation where public health experts say, without prompt action, the disease could become endemic once again.

CBC senior health reporter, Jennifer Yoon, joins the show to talk about how things got so bad and what public health officials are doing about it.

For transcripts of Front Burner, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts