A provisional total of 915 measles cases was reported in Canada
for 1983. This appears to be the lowest incidence reported since
national reporting of measles began in 1924. However, complete
data
are available only through 1982.
In 1982, 1,064 cases of measles were reported in Canada, a rate
of
4.3 cases per 100,000 population. Compared with 1981 and 1980,
this
reflects a 55% and a 92% reduction, respectively, and a 99%
reduction
compared with the 10-year prevaccine period 1949-1958 (Figure 1).
All provinces except Prince Edward Island reported measles
cases
in 1982. Although Ontario accounted for the largest proportion of
cases (48%), it reported a 41% reduction in incidence rate compared
with 1981.
The age distribution of measles patients in 1982 was available
for
all provinces except Ontario, for which data were available from
January to June 1982. Children under 1 year of age accounted for
19%
of cases; under 5 years, 27%; and under 10 years, 75%. The highest
rate (43 cases per 100,000 persons) occurred among infants,
followed
by preschoolers (1-4 years), with a rate of 15.1 per 100,000
persons.
In Ontario, 21% of children were less than 5 years old; school-aged
children (5-19 years) accounted for 73% of 224 cases.
All provinces are attempting to eliminate measles either by
compulsory vaccination at school entry or by voluntary approaches,
and
some have reported that up to 95% of children are now immunized by
the
time they reach school age. New Brunswick and Ontario
(representing
39% of Canada's population) introduced legislation in 1981 and
1982,
respectively, making immunization against measles and five other
diseases (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, and rubella)
compulsory for school attendance.
Reported by Health and Welfare, Canada; Weekly Epidemiological
Record
1983;58:331-2, World Health Organization; Div of Immunization,
Center
for Prevention Svcs, CDC.
Editorial Note
Editorial Note: This report suggests that improved immunization
coverage may be one reason for the low level of measles activity
recorded from 1981 to 1983. Use of a more stringent case
definition
and a growing tendency to report only laboratory-confirmed cases
also
may have reduced the number of reported cases. Moreover, measles
has
been characterized by 2- to 3-year epidemic cycles, and 1981-1983
could be a low period.
Nevertheless, these data show remarkable progress in
controlling
measles in Canada. Like the United States, Canada has achieved a
record low measles incidence rate because of a national commitment
to
achieve and maintain high immunization levels against the
vaccine-preventable diseases of childhood. Continued efforts in
both
countries are expected to eliminate indigenous measles in both
populations.
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