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The Globe and Mail has embarked on a 40,000-kilometer journey to uncover the roots of Canada’s shocking measles outbreak. We’ll dive into this alarming resurgence, along with highlights from Donald Trump’s latest UN address and troubling news about TikTok’s privacy practices.

The Measles Comeback: A 650% Surge!

Canada, once celebrated for its elimination of measles, now confronts a staggering resurgence with close to 5,000 cases reported—a jaw-dropping 650% increase since 1998. This epidemic has stretched from Nova Scotia to British Columbia and reached the Northwest Territories. During a spring surge in Ontario and Alberta, public health officials blamed an infected traveler who had flown into New Brunswick. This prompted Nathan Vanderklippe of The Globe to embark on a quest to find 'patient zero' and trace the outbreak's origins.

The Quest for Patient Zero: Uncovering Secrets

Initial efforts to track down the source met frustrating dead ends. Local authorities in New Brunswick were baffled until a local woman pointed Vanderklippe to a nearby farm. There, Sylvie Villeneuve candidly revealed, It started with our daughter.

A Disturbing Wedding Weekend

Lea Knelsen arrived in Canada for her sister’s wedding, feeling fatigued and unwell after a marathon journey from Thailand. Unfortunately, she dismissed her symptoms as travel fatigue. What unfolded next was a rapid decline: she developed a rash and serious breathing difficulties, leading to a life-threatening diagnosis of measles just days after the celebration. Alarmingly, Knelsen is unvaccinated, as are her three children, reflecting a broader trend where many believe these diseases are a relic of the past. This lack of awareness delayed her diagnosis, surprising medical professionals who note that measles is still an unusual case.

The Ripple Effect of Low Vaccination Rates

At the wedding, her father reported that Every single person at the wedding that did not have the vaccine got the measles. Most guests hailed from Ontario’s Mennonite communities, creating a direct link to the outbreak. This particular strain has subsequently appeared in under-vaccinated groups in various locations including Texas and Central America. Vanderklippe’s investigation extended to Thailand, where Knelsen resides, revealing that as many as 70% of children in some areas are unvaccinated, creating fertile ground for outbreaks.

A Wake-Up Call for Canada

It’s crucial to understand that the decline in vaccination rates in Canada warns of more outbreaks. Experts like Dr. Hanif Chatur argue that when faced with unusual infections, medical professionals often consider common illnesses first—leaving more exotic diseases like measles overlooked. As the clock ticks into October, prolonged virus transmission could jeopardize Canada’s measles elimination status. Knelsen’s family implored, Tell everyone we’re sorry… We never would have traveled if we’d known we would have been the case.

In Other News: Trump’s UN Address and Global Events

In a separate, noteworthy event, President Donald Trump delivered a 56-minute speech at the United Nations, critiquing immigration and other hot-button issues while addressing his fluctuating approval ratings.

The Wrap Up: What Else is Happening?

On the home front, hundreds of asylum seekers face an impending deadline to vacate their federally funded hotel accommodations. Internationally, there’s palpable skepticism about genuine changes regarding Palestinian statehood. In unsettling news, TikTok has come under scrutiny for harvesting sensitive data from numerous Canadian children. Lastly, Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem voiced concerns about how Trump’s unpredictable trade policies have cast uncertainty on the U.S. dollar’s stability.