Red Deer sees surge in number of people experiencing homelessness
A new report said 799 people experienced homelessness in Red Deer for at least one day in 2024-25, compared to 450 people in 2023-24. The Safe Harbour Society said its emergency shelter is running at maximum capacity every night.
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CBC
27 minutes ago
- CBC
Measles-infected newborn baby dies in southwestern Ontario
Ontario's Ministry of Health has announced the first recorded death of a measles patient from the current outbreak that started in October. Dr. Kieran Moore, chief medical officer of health, issued a statement Thursday saying a southwestern Ontario infant has died after being born prematurely and infected with the highly contagious virus through the mother. Moore offered few other details. Southwestern Public Health, which covers Oxford and Elgin counties, confirmed the child was from a community in their coverage area. "The infant contracted the virus before birth from their mother, who had not received the measles, mumps and rubella [MMR] vaccine," Moore wrote. "While measles may have been a contributing factor in both the premature birth and death, the infant also faced other serious medical complications unrelated to the virus. "Out of respect for the family's privacy, no further personal or medical details will be shared." The death is the first in this outbreak, which at last count, on Tuesday, included up 2009 probable and confirmed cases since it began on Oct. 28, according to the ministry. It's only the second measles-related death the province has seen in decades, after an unvaccinated child from Hamilton who was younger than five years old died in May 2024. Current outbreak traced to wedding Previously, Moore shared that this outbreak in Ontario was traced back to a Mennonite wedding in New Brunswick, and is spreading primarily in Mennonite and Amish communities where vaccination rates lag. The vast majority of those cases are in southwestern Ontario. The official case count in the current outbreak is likely lower than the actual number as many cases aren't being reported, health officials have said. Case counts have been highest in the areas covered by Southwestern Public Health, Chatham-Kent Public Health, Huron-Perth Public Health, Grand Erie Public Health and the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit. In May alone, 79 people were diagnosed with measles by Southwestern Public Health, which by far has the largest case count in the province. Seventy-five per cent of patients in that health unit were younger than 18. Those most at risk from the measles virus are unvaccinated children, health officials have warned throughout the outbreak. "Measles poses a serious risk to unvaccinated individuals and to infants in the early stages of life in particular," Moore wrote in the release Thursday. "Anyone who is unvaccinated is at risk and I urge everyone, but especially those who may become pregnant, to ensure they have received two doses of the MMR vaccine, which will protect both a parent and baby. This vaccine has been safely used for over 50 years and is highly effective. Two doses provide nearly 100 per cent protection." Officials in public health areas affected by the outbreak have told reporters they've poured resources into delivering that message to rural communities in different languages and through outreach to faith leaders. Moore said measles is one of the most contagious known diseases. Complications from infection can include pneumonia, brain swelling, premature birth and death. Those seeking vaccination are urged to contact their local health units.
Globe and Mail
30 minutes ago
- Globe and Mail
Baby infected with measles in utero dies in Southwestern Ontario
A baby born prematurely and infected with measles has died in Southwestern Ontario, the first death associated with the outbreak that began in the province last fall. Kieran Moore, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health, said the baby contracted the virus in utero. The mother was not vaccinated against measles, according to a statement released on Thursday. 'While measles may have been a contributing factor in both the premature birth and death, the infant also faced other serious medical complications unrelated to the virus,' said Dr. Moore. This marks the first death in Canada this year linked to the current outbreak. The country recorded a death related to measles last year in an unvaccinated child under the age of 5 from Hamilton. That was the province's first death in decades. Since last October, Canada has seen a comeback of measles, mainly affecting Ontario and Alberta. Ontario has now surpassed 2,000 cases, primarily among children who are unvaccinated, according to an epidemiological update posted on Thursday. Of the 2,009 total cases, 1,729 are confirmed. In Alberta, there are nearly 750 confirmed cases, as of Wednesday. More to come.
CBC
32 minutes ago
- CBC
Ontario to make Ring of Fire a special economic zone 'as quickly as possible': Ford
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the province intends to designate the mineral-rich Ring of Fire as a special economic zone as quickly as possible. He says he and several ministers will consult all summer with First Nations about the new law that allows the Ontario government to suspend provincial and municipal rules before making the designation. The law seeks to speed up the building of large projects, particularly mines. First Nations are livid about the new law and say it tramples their rights and ignores their concerns. The province passed Bill 5 on Wednesday despite several weeks of First Nations protests throughout the province and at Queen's Park. Critics also say the bill guts protections for endangered and threatened species.
