First measles case recorded in Middlesex-London region, health officials say
"The individual was likely exposed while visiting a neighbouring jurisdiction," health officials said. "All individuals in the Middlesex-London region exposed to the case have been notified."
The last time the region covered by the Middlesex-London Health Unit recorded a lab-confirmed case of the measles was March 2024.
The health unit didn't specify if the person who has measles lived in London or in Middlesex County, how old the person was, or if he or she was vaccinated against the disease.
"Middlesex-London Health Unit is working with the province and neighbouring health units to minimize the transmission of measles in Southwestern Ontario," Dr. Alex Summers, the region's medical officer of health said in a statement.
"Although the transmission of measles within Middlesex-London is currently limited, it is critical that everyone takes this opportunity to ensure they are immune to this virus."
Measles — and disinformation about vaccines against it — are spreading
4 days ago
Duration 2:44
As disinformation about vaccines continues to spread, a virologist and a pediatrician share the importance of getting vaccines to prevent the spread of harmful diseases like polio and measles.
Two doses of the measles vaccine, listed as MMR or MMRV in most health records, provides nearly 100 per cent immunity from the highly contagious virus.
Most of the cases in surrounding Southwestern Public Health region, which includes Elgin and Oxford counties as well as St. Thomas and Woodstock, have been in unvaccinated children.
Symptoms of measles may include:
• Fever, cough and runny nose
• Red and irritated eyes
• Small white, grey or blue spots in the mouth
• Red, blotchy rash (which is the last symptom to appear)
The Health Unit asks that anyone who thinks they have measles isolate at home to avoid spreading the virus to others.
If medical care is required, people are asked to call ahead so health providers can take the necessary precautions in place.
"Measles is very contagious and spreads through droplets in the air. One infected person can easily and unknowingly spread the virus to an entire room of people," health officials said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
a day ago
- CBC
First human case of West Nile virus reported in Windsor-Essex, health unit says
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) has reported its first human case of West Nile virus of 2025. That's slightly later than last year, when the first human case appeared in July, according to the health unit's infectious disease dashboard. It's a reminder for Windsor-Essex residents to protect themselves from mosquito bites, the health unit said. "It is important for everyone to eliminate any standing water around their property and take personal protective measures to avoid mosquito bites even as we approach the cooler fall months," said Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, medical officer of health for Windsor-Essex. West Nile virus is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Some people experience no symptoms, but others can experience fever, headaches, nausea, vomiting, body aches, skin rashes and swollen lymph glands. Symptoms usually begin between two and 14 days after transmission. People over the age of 50 and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of severe disease. The health unit offered the following tips for avoiding mosquito bites: Apply insect repellents that are approved by Health Canada, and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and a hat when outdoors. Light-coloured clothing is best as mosquitoes tend to be attracted to dark colours. Limit the time you spend outdoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Remove any standing water in places such as bird baths, buckets, old tires, pet water dishes and gutters around your property. Make sure that door and window screens fit securely and are holes-free. Call 311 or your local bylaw enforcement for standing water observed in your community. The health unit recorded seven human cases of West Nile virus in the county in 2024, according to its dashboard. That was the highest number since 2018, when it recorded 13 cases; it recorded 20 in 2017. Its year-to-month five-year average is just 2.4 cases.
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
Province takes temporary control of Grey Bruce health board
Ontario's chief medical officer has assumed the powers of the Grey Bruce Board of Health. Bruce and Grey counties say they are ready to work with the province after Ontario's top doctor temporarily took over the powers of the Grey Bruce Health Unit's Board of Health. On Thursday, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore announced he is assuming the board's powers and appointing a special advisor to help guide its work. County wardens said Moore confirmed in a letter that all municipal representatives appointed to the board would remain in their roles, which the county wardens said they were pleased with, noting it would help maintain continuity in local public health services. Bruce County Warden Luke Charbonneau and Grey County Warden Andrea Matrosovs stated the counties — which are responsible for appointing municipal members to the board — are committed to working with the Ministry of Health and the special advisor to restore effective leadership, rebuild relationships, and ensure long-term stability at the health unit. 'Although the recent actions regarding the board were unexpected, Bruce and Grey Counties appreciate the recent actions taken by the Ministry and we are reassured we have a path forward,' the wardens said in a joint statement. The counties say supporting healthy communities remains a priority and that residents can expect public health services to continue without interruption during the transition.
CTV News
3 days ago
- CTV News
First human case of West Nile virus this year reported in Windsor-Essex
The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit has confirmed its first human case of West Nile virus this year in one resident. The virus is an infection transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. The health unit said this positive human case is a reminder for Windsor-Essex residents to continue to protect themselves. 'It is important for everyone to eliminate any standing water around their property and take personal protective measures to avoid mosquito bites even as we approach the cooler fall months', said Dr. Aloosh, WECHU medical officer of health. Most people with WNV never develop symptoms and will not know that they have infection with the virus. Symptoms usually start to show between 2-14 days after a person is bitten by an infected mosquito. They can include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, body aches, skin rash, and swollen lymph glands. While WNV can infect people of all ages, people over the age of 50 and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for severe disease. Anyone concerned about any symptoms should contact their health care following tips can help protect individuals from mosquito bites: Apply insect repellents that are approved by Health Canada and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and a hat when outdoors. Light-coloured clothing is best as mosquitoes tend to be attracted to dark colours. Limit the time you spend outdoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Remove any standing water in places such as bird baths, buckets, old tires, pet water dishes and gutters around your property. Make sure that door and window screens fit securely and are holes-free. Call 311 or your local by-law enforcement for standing water observed in your community For more information on WNV, please visit the WECHU's WNV page. For mosquito-borne disease surveillance data, please visit Data is updated every Friday
