Canada's Chief Public Health Officer clarified that the number of measles cases in the country continues to rise.

Dr. Theresa Tam stated in a statement that the Public Health Agency of Canada is aware of 40 cases of measles in Canada so far this year.

This is more than three times the number of cases reported in the entire year of 2023.

Tam expressed concern about the insufficient number of children receiving the recommended two doses of the measles vaccine.

She said that measles is highly contagious and urged parents and caregivers to ensure that children under their care are vaccinated.

Tam pointed out that most people who contracted measles were unvaccinated and most of them were children.

She said that although some people were infected during international travel, others contracted measles in Canada.

Measles infection cases were reported in Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia.

Tam said in the statement issued on Wednesday, "Measles is more than just a rash; the infection can lead to rare but severe complications, including deafness and brain damage caused by encephalitis, and can be fatal."

She continued: "No one should suffer from a serious illness due to a vaccine-preventable disease like measles."