A measles outbreak in Montreal, Canada, has prompted hundreds of children from the Chassidic community to vaccinate against the disease.

Five new measles cases were confirmed in recent weeks, leading to greater concern over the rising number of infections across North America and worrying scientists that the anti-vaccination movement is growing in popularity in Strictly Orthodox circles.

Some 350 children in the Tosh Chassidic community voluntarily received the vaccine at temporary clinics set up by the Canadian public health authority.

The vaccinations were free and were offered to children whose medical records showed their immunisations were incomplete.

Speaking to the Canadian Jewish News, Isaac Weiss, who is responsible for the Tosh community’s public safety and security, said that prior to the opening of the clinics, 90 percent to 95 percent of Tosh community children were already vaccinated.

Mr Weiss said that unvaccinated children will not be allowed to attend schools in the community this autumn until the outbreak is contained. He urged parents to vaccinate their children to protect the health of society at large.

It is unclear how the virus spread to the community but the source is thought to be a man who travelled to New York. It was the first measles case reported in this part of Canada since 2011.

The number of measles cases across North America has been rising over the last few years, especially in Charedi communities. In New York City alone, there have been 654 confirmed measles cases since September 2018.

During the worst of New York’s outbreak last spring, Montreal doctors started an educational campaign about the risks of not vaccinating, specifically targeting the Charedi community.