Health officials are warning that the upcoming FIFA World Cup could bring a fresh measles challenge to Vancouver as visitors from around the globe arrive for the tournament. The concern is not about the event alone, but about the mix of international travel, large crowds, and a virus that spreads with unusual ease.
The Public Health Agency of Canada has already flagged measles as one of the diseases most likely to be imported during the competition. Its reasoning is straightforward: measles is still active in many countries, it moves quickly through the air, and major sporting events create ideal conditions for exposure.
Ontario has published a risk assessment that points to travel volume, dense venues, and falling vaccination coverage as factors that could increase the chance of transmission. British Columbia, by contrast, has not yet released its own public assessment.
Why Public Health Messaging Matters
Dr. Brian Conway, medical director of the Vancouver Infectious Diseases Centre, says B.C. should be communicating more clearly before the first wave of fans arrives. In his view, residents and travelers need a reminder to check their immunization records and update them if they are not fully protected.
He also says visitors should understand that Canada is dealing with active measles spread right now. That message, he argues, should be delivered early and often, because once a large event begins, it becomes harder to reach people with practical advice.
The Numbers Behind the Concern
Canada has reported more than 900 measles cases across seven jurisdictions this year, with Alberta and Manitoba accounting for the largest share. That follows last year’s much larger surge, when more than 5,000 people were infected. Officials believe that outbreak began with a case in New Brunswick in fall 2024 after exposure outside the country.
In British Columbia, provincial data shows 470 cases have been reported during 2025 and 2026. About 80 percent of those infections have been concentrated in northeastern B.C., where immunization rates are among the lowest in the province.
| Location | Reported Situation | Public Health Concern |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | More than 900 cases this year | Imported infections can seed wider spread |
| British Columbia | 470 cases in 2025 and 2026 | Clustered outbreaks in under-vaccinated areas |
| Vancouver region | Strong health system preparedness | Imported cases still require close monitoring |
Past Outbreaks Show What Can Happen
History is another reason experts are watching the tournament closely. After the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games, B.C. recorded a measles outbreak with 82 confirmed cases. The circumstances were different, but the lesson remains the same: international events can move infections into a region faster than local systems expect.
Conway says the current risk is higher because vaccination coverage has weakened in parts of British Columbia. He also notes that some countries sending athletes, fans, and staff to the World Cup may have lower immunization rates than Canada, increasing the odds that an infected traveler could arrive during the event.
Officials Say Planning Is in Motion
Vancouver Coastal Health says it has been preparing for the tournament for years and has completed a public health risk assessment with the B.C. Centre for Disease Control. The results have not been made public, but Dr. Mark Lysyshyn, the health authority’s deputy chief medical health officer, says the measles risk was rated medium, or moderate.
He also said the region has already managed dozens of imported measles cases during the current outbreak without seeing sustained local spread. In his view, strong immunization levels across the Vancouver Coastal Health region have helped stop transmission from continuing once cases are identified.
For the city itself, officials say emergency and operational plans are already in place. The message is that Vancouver is preparing to respond if a public health issue emerges during the tournament.
Where the Greatest Risk Remains
Dr. Monika Naus, a professor at the University of British Columbia’s School of Population and Public Health, says major international gatherings always carry some infectious disease risk. Even so, she believes the danger to the general public is limited because most adults are already immune through vaccination or prior infection.
The greater problem, she says, is what happens if measles reaches communities with low coverage. In British Columbia, those communities are often geographically clustered, which can make transmission more efficient once the virus gets in.
That is why vaccination status matters so much before the World Cup begins. Measles is highly contagious, but it is also preventable. Checking records, closing immunization gaps, and making sure travelers know their status can reduce the chance that one imported case becomes something larger.
Canada also lost its measles elimination status last year after the Pan American Health Organization said transmission had continued too long. The designation can be regained if spread is interrupted for a full year. Until then, public health officials say the safest approach is simple: keep immunity levels high and stay alert during a busy international event.
