Six newborn babies in Ontario, Canada, were born already infected with measles. All of their mothers had not received the measles vaccine. Doctors say the babies are now recovering, but this situation could have been avoided with regular vaccinations.
Ontario’s top health official, Dr. Kieran Moore, told The Guardian that these cases are part of a growing measles outbreak — the largest in the western hemisphere since late last year. Although Canada had officially eliminated measles in 1998, meaning it was no longer spreading regularly, the recent rise in cases puts that achievement at risk. Over 2,000 measles cases have been reported in Ontario since October, which is more than the total number in the U.S. so far this year.
What is Congenital Measles?
Congenital measles happens when a baby is infected with the measles virus before birth. This occurs when a pregnant woman catches measles and the virus is passed to the unborn baby.
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Usually, babies receive some protection from their mother’s immune system while still in the womb. But if the mother hasn’t been vaccinated and gets infected during pregnancy, that protection is missing. This allows the virus to reach the baby directly.
Being exposed to measles before birth can lead to serious problems for the baby, such as:
- Premature birth
- Low birth weight
- Brain swelling (called encephalitis)
- In some cases, even death
Why Weren’t These Mothers Vaccinated?
The measles vaccine (MMR) is very effective and has been used for decades. However, it isn’t given during pregnancy because it contains a live virus. If a pregnant woman who hasn’t been vaccinated is exposed to measles, doctors usually recommend a special treatment called intravenous immunoglobulin to help protect her and the baby. Unfortunately, some people refuse this treatment due to personal beliefs.
Congenital measles is rare, especially in countries with strong vaccination programs. But due to rising vaccine hesitancy, such cases are becoming more common again. Health experts say that getting vaccinated before pregnancy is the best way to prevent such serious risks.
these cases highlight the importance of staying up to date with vaccines — not just for personal health, but also for protecting future generations.
