Premature baby dies of measles in Alberta after pregnant mother contracts disease

By Canadian Press on October 2, 2025.

EDMONTON — A newborn in Alberta has died of measles marking the province’s first death from the disease this year, the government said Thursday.

Alberta Health Minister Adriana LaGrange said the child was born prematurely and died shortly after being born. The mother had contracted measles during pregnancy.

“This is a heartbreaking loss, and no words can capture the pain of losing a child,” she said in a statement Thursday.

She added children, pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems face the greatest risk from measles.

“”Since measles cases were first reported in Alberta this spring, I had hoped this moment would not come.”

The latest update to Health Canada’s website reported one measles death in the country this year.

Ontario’s chief medical officer of health said in June a baby infected with measles while in the womb had died after being born prematurely. The mother was not vaccinated, and the infant had other serious medical complications.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization says measles during pregnancy can lead to serious complications, but measles-containing vaccines are not generally recommended for pregnant women.

LaGrange said anyone planning a pregnancy should ensure they have received two doses of vaccine before they conceive.

In July, Alberta recorded the most measles cases in North America on a per-capita basis.

The province’s website says there have been 1,910 cases since January, with 152 hospitalizations. Most infections have been in children.

As of Wednesday, there was one person hospitalized with measles in Alberta.

LaGrange said since the government launched a marketing campaign in April, measles immunizations have increased by 52 per cent compared to the same period last year.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 2, 2025.

Lisa Johnson, The Canadian Press