Health officials in Canada are warning that the arrival of tens of thousands of international soccer fans could create the right conditions for measles to spread, especially in Vancouver, where World Cup matches are expected to draw major crowds. The concern is not about the tournament itself, but about what can happen when a highly contagious virus meets packed stadiums, busy transit lines, and visitors coming from many parts of the world.
The Public Health Agency of Canada has flagged measles as one of the diseases most likely to be imported during the event. That warning reflects three realities at once: measles is still circulating in many countries, it spreads through the air with remarkable ease, and large gatherings give it more chances to move from one person to another.
Ontario has already released a public risk assessment for the World Cup that points to international travel, crowded venues, and weaker vaccination coverage as reasons the virus deserves attention. British Columbia, by contrast, has not yet shared a public version of its own assessment, which has left some experts asking for clearer communication before fans arrive.
Why Local Experts Want Faster Public Messaging
Dr. Brian Conway, medical director of the Vancouver Infectious Diseases Centre, says British Columbia should be talking more openly with residents and visitors right now. In his view, waiting until large crowds are already in the city is too late for a disease that can spread so quickly.
He believes public health leaders should encourage people to review their vaccination records and make sure they are protected against measles before the tournament begins. Visitors should also be told plainly that Canada is dealing with ongoing transmission, so they understand that the risk is real and current, not theoretical.
His argument is straightforward: when a major event is about to bring millions of eyes, feet, and conversations into one place, prevention has to begin early.
A Look at the National Picture
Canada has reported more than 900 measles cases across seven jurisdictions this year, and Alberta and Manitoba have seen the largest share so far. The numbers are a reminder that the virus is not a distant concern; it is already active in the country.
The current outbreak follows an even larger surge last year, when more than 5,000 people were infected nationwide. Officials believe that wave began with a case in New Brunswick in fall 2024 after the person was exposed outside Canada. That chain of events shows how quickly an imported infection can become a wider domestic problem when the virus finds the right conditions.
In British Columbia, provincial figures show 470 measles cases in 2025 and 2026 combined. Roughly 80 percent have been reported in northeastern B.C., where vaccination rates are among the lowest in the province.
How the Risk Builds During Big Events
Large tournaments do not create measles on their own, but they can act as amplifiers. Travelers move through airports, hotels, fan zones, and transit systems, often in close contact with people they do not know. If even one infected person enters that environment, the virus can spread before anyone realizes they have been exposed.
That is why immunization rates matter so much. When enough people are protected, measles has fewer places to go. When coverage drops, the virus can find clusters of unprotected people and spread more easily.
History Offers a Warning
Vancouver has faced this kind of concern before. After the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, British Columbia recorded a measles outbreak with 82 confirmed cases. The circumstances were different, but the lesson was clear: international events can increase the chances of infectious disease travel and transmission.
Dr. Conway says today’s situation may be even more complicated because vaccination rates have fallen in parts of the province. He also noted that some countries sending athletes, staff, and fans to the World Cup may have lower immunization coverage than Canada, which raises the possibility that an infected traveler could arrive without knowing it.
What Health Authorities Say Is in Place
Vancouver Coastal Health says it has been planning for the World Cup for years. The health authority says it completed a public health risk assessment with the B.C. Centre for Disease Control, although those findings have not been released publicly.
Dr. Mark Lysyshyn, deputy chief medical health officer with Vancouver Coastal Health, said the assessment placed measles in the medium, or moderate, risk range during the tournament. That does not mean there is no concern, but it does suggest officials believe the region is prepared to respond.
He pointed out that the health authority has already managed dozens of imported measles cases during the current outbreak. Those incidents, he said, did not lead to ongoing spread in the Vancouver Coastal Health region. Strong immunization coverage, he added, has been one of the main reasons those cases have been contained.
| Location or Authority | Current Situation | Main Concern |
|---|---|---|
| Canada overall | More than 900 cases this year | Ongoing national transmission |
| British Columbia | 470 cases in 2025 and 2026 | Low vaccination pockets, especially in the northeast |
| Vancouver Coastal Health | Moderate risk assessment | Imported cases during the World Cup |
| City of Vancouver | Operational plans ready | Public health and safety response |
City Planning and Community Vulnerability
The City of Vancouver says it already has operational and emergency management plans in place for the tournament. Officials say those plans are meant to handle public health or safety problems if they arise during the event.
Still, experts emphasize that the people most likely to be affected are those who remain under-vaccinated. Dr. Monika Naus, a professor at the University of British Columbia’s School of Population and Public Health, says any large international gathering carries some degree of infectious disease risk, but the threat to the general public is lower when most adults are already immune.
The greater problem, she said, is what happens if measles reaches communities where vaccination rates are low. In British Columbia, those vulnerable communities are often geographically clustered, which can allow the virus to move quickly once it gets in.
Why Elimination Status Matters
The Public Health Agency of Canada said last year that the Pan American Health Organization informed Canada it no longer holds measles elimination status. That designation is lost when transmission continues for an extended period rather than appearing only as isolated imported cases.
Canada can regain that status if it interrupts transmission for a full year. For public health officials, that makes prevention especially important now, because every imported infection can affect the timeline for recovery.
What Residents and Visitors Should Do Now
As the World Cup approaches, health experts are focusing on a few practical steps that can lower the odds of an outbreak.
- Check vaccination records before traveling or attending events.
- Confirm that measles protection is up to date for both children and adults.
- Pay attention to public health notices if symptoms or exposures are reported.
- Seek medical advice promptly if rash, fever, cough, or other warning signs appear.
Measles is highly contagious, but it is also preventable. That is why officials are urging people to take vaccination seriously before the tournament begins, not after cases start appearing.
For Vancouver, the challenge is to welcome the energy of a global event while preventing a disease that should not have the chance to gain ground.