logo
Measles jumps by 65 cases in Elgin and Oxford Counties, totalling above 1,200 across Ontario

Measles jumps by 65 cases in Elgin and Oxford Counties, totalling above 1,200 across Ontario

CBC01-05-2025

The measles outbreak continues to spread across the province, with cases climbing in Elgin and Oxford counties.
Southwestern Public Health is reporting 65 additional cases on Thursday, bringing the total to 451 for the region since Oct. 30.
"This sharp rise in cases may be concerning to the community. However, the majority of these cases are part of a group of cases we are investigating that are linked to one another," said Dr. Ninh Tran, medical officer of health for Southwestern Public Health.
"This is a good example of how quickly measles can spread in groups where there are unvaccinated individuals," he said, noting linked cases can be from exposure in large households or gatherings.
Last week, the health unit posted 28 new cases, signalling the ongoing outbreak continues.
"The key message is still measles is out there circulating in our community, and the best thing anyone can do is to be vaccinated because the vast majority of our cases are those who aren't up to date on it," said Ninh.
The majority of cases are among people under 18 years old who are not vaccinated. About 35 patients have been hospitalized due to the severity of their illness in the region, totalling 84 hospitalizations across the province.
Symptoms that could lead to hospitalization are dehydration, need for fever control, or a secondary infection such as pneumonia, Ninh said. Local hospital stays have been between one and 11 days, with an average of three days.
Symptoms to watch for
Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus and primary symptoms are a cough, red watery eyes, fever and a blotchy rash, according to Public Health Ontario.
Those exposed to the virus should monitor for respiratory, GI or conjunctivitis symptoms and stay home if any symptoms arise to reduce exposure to others. Rashes are one of the last symptoms to appear after exposure, Ninh said.
"Symptoms can appear up to 21 days after being exposed to the virus and you may remain infectious until the fifth day after the rash appears," he said.
Doctors call for action as Alberta measles case counts highest in nearly 30 years
6 days ago
Duration 2:27
Experts say a drop in vaccination rates has allowed the spread of the contagious, preventable illness. Many are calling on the Alberta government to inform the public with more public health messaging, and provide better access to vaccines with mass immunization clinics.
The measles outbreak has been traced to a Mennonite wedding in New Brunswick, Ontario's chief public health doctor said, and has since spread across the country. It's the largest measles outbreak Canada has seen in more than a decade.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Measles cases in Alberta nearing highest mark since 1986
Measles cases in Alberta nearing highest mark since 1986

CTV News

time11 hours ago

  • CTV News

Measles cases in Alberta nearing highest mark since 1986

A dose of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination awaits the next patient during a vaccine clinic at Southwestern Public Health in St. Thomas, Ont. on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Geoff Robins) Alberta is on the brink of recording its worst rate of measles in nearly four decades, with experts predicting the province will surpass that milestone soon. The province reached 809 measles cases on Monday, with 31 new cases added in the North Zone (12), Central Zone (one) and South Zone (18). Alberta last recorded more than 800 cases in 1986, with 843, according to historical data. 'We're now seeing numbers that are the worst number of infections in 39 years, and we're only about 100 cases away from the 1970s, when vaccinations were introduced,' Craig Jenne, an infectious disease expert from the University of Calgary, said. As cases continue to rise, Alberta's interim chief medical health officer is warning parents to take precautions against measles heading into the summer travel season. Dr. Sunil Sookram sent a letter to parents and guardians last week highlighting that the majority of measles cases in the province are in children under the age of 18. 'As we approach the summer months and increased travel, I want to reiterate that you can protect yourselves, your loved ones and the people around them by ensuring measles immunizations are up to date,' Sookram said in the letter. 'For those who chose not to, it's important to understand the risk of illness and transmission of measles in Alberta is now at the highest it's been in 25 years.' As of Monday, 233 cases were in children under the age of five, while 376 were in kids aged five to 17. Dr. Sidd Thakore, a pediatrician at the Alberta Children's Hospital, noted that with 579 of the province's measles cases in the south health zone, they're starting to see more severe outcomes from the illness. 'The things we generally see them for, me working in the inpatient unit, is due to breathing problems: needing oxygen, needing more breathing support,' Thakore said. 'Now we're having patients going to ICU for more significant complications, be it inflammation of the brain we worry about or having severe breathing issues and needing more significant interventions.' As of Sunday, there were five people hospitalized due to measles throughout the province, including two in intensive care. The province is highlighting its awareness campaign, 'Don't Get Measles, Get Immunized,' which will aim to inform Albertans with social media, digital, print and radio advertising. 'We will be reviewing the success of this campaign and will determine if additional advertising is needed in the future to continue to raise awareness about the importance of keeping your immunizations up to date,' an official with Primary and Preventative Health Services said in a statement.

Nova Scotians urged to get measles vaccine
Nova Scotians urged to get measles vaccine

CTV News

time13 hours ago

  • CTV News

Nova Scotians urged to get measles vaccine

Health professionals encourage Canadians to get the measles vaccine – to protect themselves and our smallest citizens. There's a push on for Nova Scotians to roll up their sleeves and get the measles vaccine. 'We know that two doses of measles containing vaccine offers over 97 per cent protection for life,' said Dr. Catherine Brown, chief medical officer of health for Nova Scotia's central zone. Brown says there are currently no active cases in the province. There was one case back in May, but Brown says that person has recovered without transmitting the virus to anyone else. Six babies in Ontario have been born with congenital measles since last fall, Ontario's top doctor says their mothers were not vaccinated. 'We have to renew our efforts to try to vaccinate our communities to address some of the questions that they have,' said Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health. 'This is preventable and we have a very safe and effective vaccine.' Those six infants have recovered but the potential for lasting complications exists. 'Children, especially babies who get measles, are the highest risk of measles complications, so that can include ear infections, pneumonia, but also more serious things like blindness, infection of the brain, and in rare cases, death,' said Brown. She says the decision to not get vaccinated is usually due to convenience, complacency or confidence. 'I think, as long as there have been vaccines out there have been people questioning the vaccine you know. I think it's good to ask questions, we want people to make informed decisions about their health,' said Brown. NS Public Health Mobile Unit The Nova Scotia Public Health mobile unit is pictured on June 9, 2025. (CTV Atlantic / Jonathan MacInnis) Those who showed up at the mobile vaccination clinic in Bedford Monday said they are glad the service has come to them. 'If there's a vaccine available for anything that's going to affect us, our health, I'm all for it,' said Carol Longue-MacDonald. In the 1930s, 40s and 50s, Brown says there were up to 50,000 measles cases a year in the country. After the move to two doses in the 1990s, measles achieved elimination status in Canada. The measles vaccine is not recommended for babies under six months of age, anyone who is pregnant, or immuno-compromised. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store