Amid rising tensions between Canada and the United States over trade and tariffs, a new U.S. travel advisory has warned Americans that "measles is only a car ride away!"
On April 2, 2025, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDH) released a travel advisory that named Ontario as a measles hotspot. The advisory urges anyone planning a trip north of the border to check their vaccination status ASAP.
According to the travel warning, measles outbreaks are happening in several parts of the U.S. and abroad, but Ontario is being highlighted due to a significant and unusual increase in cases.
The advisory reads, "Measles is only a car ride away! Measles is a highly contagious virus. Around 90% of people who are exposed to a person with measles will become infected if they are not vaccinated. Because measles is so contagious, it easily crosses borders."
"Currently, measles outbreaks are happening in parts of the United States and Canada, especially in Ontario, and around the world," it adds.
New York Health officials are especially concerned about the timing, with spring and summer vacations on the horizon — peak travel seasons when large numbers of people hit the road or take to the skies. This spike in movement could be a recipe for even faster spread, especially among under-vaccinated communities.
From October 18, 2024, to April 2, 2025, Public Health Ontario confirmed 661 reported cases, including 89 confirmed in just one week. To put that into perspective, Ontario saw only 101 confirmed measles cases between 2013 and 2023.
As of March 26, 2025, the United States had already reported 483 measles cases in just the first three months of the year — surpassing the total number of cases in all of 2024, according to the same advisory.
These cases have been reported in 20 jurisdictions, including California, Florida, New York City, Kansas, Vermont, and Washington. As many as 442 were in New Mexico and Texas, with most affecting unvaccinated children. The advisory also flagged that other countries like India, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam are seeing increased measles activity as well.
NY health officials recommend that travellers receive the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) at least two weeks before travel. This is especially important for those heading to areas currently experiencing outbreaks.
They're advising New Yorkers that if Ontario is on their travel list, whether for a weekend getaway or a family visit, they should ensure their vaccinations are up to date. Measles is highly contagious and spreads easily, even through brief contact.
It comes as Torontonians were recently warned of possible exposures on board two different VIA Rail Canada trains and at a popular downtown restaurant in March.
Last week, Canada updated its own national travel advisory for the United States, warning Canadian travellers to "expect scrutiny at ports of entry, including of electronic devices."
This marks another update in Canada's ongoing series of travel advisories for the U.S., as tensions between the two countries continue to rise and the U.S. intensifies its efforts to crack down on what it's calling unauthorized "aliens."
Back in March, Canada warned travellers about a new U.S. rule tied to an executive order from President Donald Trump. Starting April 11, visitors planning to stay in the U.S. for more than 30 days will need to register with the American government — or risk getting hit with fines and other penalties.
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