Risks of spreading measles during the World Cup

The Public Health Agency of Canada is warning the public that measles could spread to Vancouver and Toronto, which will host FIFA World Cup matches.

The likelihood of importation of measles is high due to its high global prevalence estimates the Agency.

It would result in transmission within the susceptible population and among close contacts, which would have a moderate impact on the population of a host citywe read in a risk assessment available on its website (nouvelle fenêtre).

The D^rBrian Conway, medical director at the Vancouver Infectious Disease Center, also believes that there could be new cases of measles during the Soccer World Cup, which will take place from June 11 to July 19. Because adults will interact in bars, in packed stadiums, there is a risk of transmission, which is what worries us the most.

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We have a decreasing vaccination rate in British Columbia, and we are going to have more and more visitors who will come from places where people are even less vaccinated than us. It is a very contagious disease. So there is still a risk that must be faced.

We must anticipate this. There seems to be nothing in placespecifies the D^r Brian Conway. He adds that health authorities should encourage visitors to check that their vaccination status is up to date.

In 2010, an outbreak of measles occurred after the Winter Olympics, which took place in Vancouver. In British Columbia, 82 cases had been identified.

During mass gatherings, there is always a risk of communicable diseasesrecognizes the D^r Mark LysyshynDeputy Chief Medical Officer of the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority. However, he emphasizes that the risk of an outbreak is low because the vaccination rate in the health authority’s territory is high.

We did planning for three years before the World Cup. We also do surveillance. If there are cases of illness identified during this type of event, we can detect them, we can make notifications. We have systems to detect risk, and then manage the situation.

Contacted by Radio-Canada, the City of Vancouver responded that it had implemented comprehensive operational and emergency management plans for major events, developed in collaboration with public safety and health partners, including the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority and the province.

We continue to monitor developments closely and are prepared to respond appropriately should any issues arise.she adds.

The worst epidemic in 30 years

Nearly 1000 cases of measles (nouvelle fenêtre) have been recorded since the start of the year in Canada. The country is thus suffering its worst epidemic in more than 30 years.

In British Columbia, 440 cases of measles were confirmed between 1^isJanuary 2025 and May 7, 2026, and 30 probable cases, according to figures from the British Columbia Center for Disease Control (BCCDC). More than 80% of these cases were recorded in the north of the province.

Monika Nausprofessor at the School of Population and Public Health from the University of British Columbia, explains that large international gatherings always increase the risks of spreading infectious diseases.

She adds, however, that the risk to the general public remains limited because most adults are vaccinated against measles.

However, she has concerns for residents of the north of the province, if the spread occurs in this part of British Columbia, where the vaccination rate is lower.

With information from Wildinette Paul, Shaurya Kshatri and The Canadian Press