Another child has died from measles in Canada, this time a premature infant from Alberta, which has been experiencing a steep rise in cases since the spring, Canada-based Global News reported yesterday. 

The child was born prematurely after the mother contracted measles, the news outlet said, citing provincial health officials. Alberta has recorded 1,914 measles cases since March, of which 1,706 involved unvaccinated children.

The death appears to be Canada’s second in a child. Earlier this year, the Public Health Agency of Canada reported a congenital measles death of an Ontario baby who was born prematurely and had other underlying health conditions.

Canada is the worst affected of North American countries, reporting brisk measles activity and 5,006 cases this year (4,646 confirmed), according to the government’s latest data. Ontario was the focus of earlier activity, but most of the recent cases have been reported from Canada’s western provinces.

Mexico this year has reported 19 deaths from measles, and the United States has reported 3, according to the latest update from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

Community transmission suspected in South Carolina

In other measles developments, the South Carolina Department of Public Health yesterday confirmed an outbreak in the Upstate region. Of the state’s eight cases this year, five patients became ill over the past month and are part of the newly identified outbreak.

Officials said all are unvaccinated and do not have immunity from earlier measles infection. The group added that the outbreak patients are following isolation guidance.

Linda Bell, MD, state epidemiologist, said two of the patients have an unknown infection source, which suggests unrecognized community spread. “We anticipate more cases will be identified and implore community members to act responsibly. If you are ill, stay home,” she said.

US COVID-19 activity is on the decline following a short summer surge.

According to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), two key early indicator metrics—the rate of test positivity and emergency department (ED) visits—continue to fall. Test positivity dropped to 6.7% for the week ending September 27, down from 9.6% the previous week, while the percentage of ED visits diagnosed as COVID-19 fell from 1.0% to 0.7%. ED visits have been highest in children ages 0 to 4 years.

Indicators of severity are down, as well. The hospitalization rate per 100,000 population was 1.2, down from 2.2 the previous week, with hospitalizations elevated in people age 65 and older. The percentage of deaths due to COVID-19 was 0.8%, the same as the prior week.

XFG variant still predominant

Wastewater monitoring indicates that the XFG variant—one of several offshoots of the JN.1 subvariant—accounts for 85% of all sequenced viruses, followed by NB.1.8.1 (7%) and NW.1 (3%).

CDC data on other respiratory illness, including flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), have not been updated because of the federal government shutdown.

Pakistan and Nigeria each reported three new polio cases this week, according to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GEPI).

In Pakistan, the three wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) patients, located in Sindh, first experienced paralysis in August. So far this year, Pakistan has reported 29 polio cases. Last year officials confirmed 74 WPV1 illnesses.

Nigeria reported three circulating variant poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) cases this week, from Borno, Kebbi, and Zamfara states, with paralysis onsets in May and July, pushing the year's total to 35.  Last year, the country reported 98 cVDPV2 cases.