N.L. prepares for upcoming Canada Games amid measles outbreaks across the country

Newfoundland and Labrador's top medical officials are keeping a close eye on measles as thousands of people from across Canada prepare to travel to St. John's for the Canada Games in August.

Outbreaks have been popping up across the country over the last two years, but none have been reported in Newfoundland and Labrador so far.

In fact, Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick are the only two provinces that haven't reported a case in 2025.

However, doctors are concerned the event could serve as a breeding ground for the infectious disease.

Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, Newfoundland and Labrador's chief medical officer of health, said a committee composed of officials from the province's health department, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services and Canada Games management have been meeting regularly for the past months.

"We wanted to make sure that we were preparing in the event that we did see a case of measles come here during the Canada Games," Fitzgerald told CBC News.

N.L. measles free for eight years

The last case of measles seen in the province was in 2017, she said, but it's been rampant in other parts of the country, like Ontario and Alberta, since 2024. 

As many as 3,526 cases of measles were reported in Canada so far in 2025, according to the federal government.

Fitzgerald said people who are vaccinated are the most protected against the disease and that Newfoundland and Labrador has a very high rate of vaccination. The complication is with the thousands of athletes coming from across the country, with the possibility that some are under immunized and prone to develop measles if exposed to the disease.

"That could certainly have a big impact on the games and it could have an impact on the province as well," Fitzgerald said.

In the event of a positive case, Fitzgerald said staff must trace back and contact each place the person visited, as individuals can be highly contagious before showing any symptoms. There are some cases where quarantine, lab testing and treatment are needed.

As part of the preparation, Fitzgerald said, they are ensuring all staff and volunteers at the games are vaccinated against measles.

Vaccination not required

Canada Games host society CEO Karen Sherriffs said they issued a letter to provincial and territorial teams with information on symptoms to watch for and are also asking for proof of vaccination.

Vaccination isn't required, but in the event of a person showing symptoms of measles, Sherriffs said that person will be asked to provide proof of vaccination.

"If they cannot produce a proof of vaccination then they will be tested for measles. During that time, they will remain in isolation until their test result is back," Sherriffs said. "If it is negative, they will remain in isolation at [a] location until deemed they're symptom free by public health."

A person who isn't vaccinated and is infected by measles during the games would most likely not be able to participate, but as for the games in general, Sherriffs said, it's impossible to speculate how cases of measles would impact the event overall or if they would have to cancel some games.

Those decisions will depend on the severity of the cases, the number of people affected and ultimately the instructions from public health.

Sherriffs said they are working closely with public health in the event an announcement to the public is needed.

Although Newfoundland and Labrador has a high vaccination rate, Fitzgerald said people can check with their local public health office for their vaccination status. Residents can also contact NLHS offices for vaccination records, learn if they're eligible for measles vaccines and book appointments, if needed.

"We want this to be a successful event," Fitzgerald said. 

"We don't want to have people [who] have worked so hard to achieve what they have through sport and then to come here, be exposed to a case of measles and then have to sit out because they haven't been vaccinated or they can't show their proof of immunity."

Measles causes a rash that spreads all over the body, accompanied by symptoms such as fever, cold and a runny nose. It's highly contagious, spreading through the air and affecting up to nine in 10 people who come into contact with an infected person. The virus can remain active in a room two hours after an infected person has left. 

Newborns are especially at risk because they can only get the vaccine after they are at least a year old, said Dr. Natalie Bridger, a pediatrician and infectious disease specialist.

"There are people out there who, no matter what we do, are going to be at risk of getting measles and getting severely ill from measles," she said. 

"And that's why those of us who can get the vaccine really need to make sure we're up to date."

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