Pace of new measles infections slows in Waterloo Region and Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph
The number of new reported measles infections has dropped in Waterloo Region and neighbouring municipalities this week.
According to a report from Public Health Ontario, no new cases were identified with the Region of Waterloo Public Health area. According to the Region of Waterloo's website, there are also no current potential public exposure locations.
Meanwhile, only one new case was reported within Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health's jurisdiction.
Southwestern Public Health and Grand Erie Public Health have reported the highest number of cases since the outbreak began in southwestern Ontario in October 2024. This week, Public Health Ontario is reporting one new case from Southwestern Public Health and three new cases from Grand Erie Public Health.
Although the latest data is a positive sign, health experts still urge everyone to get a vaccine to protect them from measles, which is a highly contagious illness that can have serious consequences, including brain swelling and death.
What to know about measles
Measles is a highly contagious virus. The disease can spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes. Even brief exposure to measles can result in illness.
Symptoms include a fever, runny nose, cough, red watery eyes, small white spots inside the mouth and a red blotchy rash. Other signs of measles include diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia. In severe cases, measles can cause brain inflammation and death.
It usually takes between seven and 21 days for symptoms to show up.
Anyone who believes they may have been exposed to measles is asked to stay at home and avoid contact with others. If medical treatment is needed, people are urged to contact their health provider ahead of time to prevent the illness from spreading to other patients.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
3 hours ago
- CTV News
Measles exposure alert issued for Calgary airport as Alberta cases continue to climb
Breaking news from Alberta Health Services Thursday night, as a measles exposure alert has been issued for the Calgary airport. Alberta Health Services issued a measles exposure alert for the Calgary airport on Thursday night. If you were at the domestic terminal on Wednesday morning, there's a chance you were exposed, even if you didn't come into contact with the infected person. Alberta Health Services says the measles virus can linger in the air for hours. Breaking news from Alberta Health Services Thursday night, as a measles exposure alert has been issued for the Calgary airport. Breaking news from Alberta Health Services Thursday night, as a measles exposure alert has been issued for the Calgary airport. Someone with a confirmed case of measles was on a flight from Kamloops and got to domestic arrivals gate A17 just after 8 a.m. They then departed at gate C55 on WestJet flight 630 to Prince Edward Island. Infectious disease experts say measles is the most contagious virus they deal with. Not only does it hang in the air for hours, but it is also really good at getting around the body's defences. For some viruses, including COVID and flu, you have to inhale dozens of virus particles, but with measles, a single virus particle is all it takes. Breaking news from Alberta Health Services Thursday night, as a measles exposure alert has been issued for the Calgary airport. Breaking news from Alberta Health Services Thursday night, as a measles exposure alert has been issued for the Calgary airport. This exposure alert comes as 27 more cases have been confirmed in Alberta. That pushes the total since the outbreak began to just over 1,100. Fourteen cases were reported in the south health zone, which still has the highest numbers by far in the province at 719. The province says the best protection against measles is to ensure you are up to date with your immunizations. Alberta Health Services provides free measles vaccines through public health centres. Alberta Health Services has said of previous exposures, 'Anyone who attended these locations at these times who was born in or after 1970 and has less than two documented doses of measles-containing vaccine is at risk for developing measles.' The provincial health authority has suggested anyone who may have been exposed 'review their immunization records and monitor themselves for symptoms of measles.' Symptoms include, according to AHS: Fever of 38.3 C or higher; Cough, runny nose and red eyes; and A red, blotchy rash that appears three to seven days after fever starts, beginning behind the ears and on the face and spreading down the body and then to the arms and legs. Those with symptoms are advised by AHS to call Health Link (811) before attending clinics, pharmacies, etc.
CBC
4 hours ago
- CBC
Brush fire near hospital in Kamloops, B.C., sends smoke billowing through city
The air is thick with smoke in Kamloops, B.C., as a brush fire burns behind the local hospital. Crews are fighting the fire, which is burning on a hill just south of Royal Inland Hospital in the city, about 250 kilometres northeast of Vancouver, near Peterson Creek Park. The city has asked residents to avoid the lower Peterson Creek area while crews are on scene, according to a Facebook post. Royal Inland patient Kaedyn Bert said he saw the fire start from his room on the sixth floor of the hospital. "It was raging for a good few minutes," he said. He said at least one tree became engulfed in flames and "went up like a campfire." "Thankfully, we have really good first responders in Kamloops here," Bert said. The B.C. Wildfire Service says it is dispatching support to Kamloops Fire Rescue.
CBC
4 hours ago
- CBC
Most Albertans will soon pay $110 for a COVID shot
With Alberta soon to end free COVID-19 vaccines for most residents, there's growing concern about cost, coverage and access — especially for vulnerable seniors. When provincial funding ends, most Albertans will have to pay an estimated $110 per dose.
