As measles cases in the United States continue to mount, neighboring countries Canada and Mexico are also experiencing significant outbreaks – all of which have been linked to at least one death.

Measles is on the rise in Canada and poses serious risks to pregnant people and their newborns, yet discussion about how to protect this vulnerable group is notably lacking.

A baby born prematurely to an unvaccinated mother has become the first measles patient to die in a measles outbreak that started in Canada last year. The infant died in Ontario, where nearly 2,000 cases have been reported,