Latest news with #DrKieranMoore
National Post
5 hours ago
- Health
- National Post
Six infants born with congenital measles in Ontario from unvaccinated mothers
Ontario's chief medical officer of health says six infants have been born with congenital measles since an outbreak began last fall, adding they were infected in the womb through mothers who were not vaccinated. Article content Dr. Kieran Moore says these infants recovered, but their infections could have been prevented if their mothers had been vaccinated and protected from contracting measles. Article content Article content Article content Congenital measles can result in severe complications, including inflammation of the brain and death. Article content Article content In an interview with The Canadian Press, Moore says 40 pregnant people have been infected with measles in Ontario, and only two were vaccinated. Article content Moore suggests unvaccinated pregnant people isolate if they live in a community with active measles cases. Health officials have reported more than 2,000 cases in the province since the outbreak began in October. Article content The measles mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is not recommended once a person is pregnant because it contains a live virus that could theoretically be transmitted to the fetus. Article content Article content The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends unvaccinated pregnant people get one dose of intravenous immunoglobulin within six days if they are exposed to measles. Article content Article content However, Moore said that message faces hurdles similar to those around vaccine hesitancy. Article content 'Some people, if they don't want a vaccine, they may not want the immunoglobulin either. That may be a philosophical choice,' Moore said Friday. Article content In an editorial published Monday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, Dr. Catherine Varner argues pregnant people are 'bearing the burden' of Canada's measles outbreak. Article content 'Pregnant people are often at higher risk than the general population in infectious disease outbreaks. As such, they cannot be an afterthought in preventive strategies and health-care systems' responses,' Varner writes. Article content Moore said the vast majority of pregnant people in Ontario are fully vaccinated against measles. Article content 'It's only a very small subgroup of people who have chosen not to get vaccinated who are having the complications,' he said. Article content 'I know some will concentrate on the glass being half-empty. You know, to have that level of protection in the face of the risks globally, I think is quite an accomplishment. Article content 'I'd love to have 100 per cent, but we have to work with these communities that have chosen not to be vaccinated, and that is a long and difficult conversation that I think all of our health-care workers are dedicated to having.' Article content
CBC
7 hours ago
- Health
- CBC
6 Ontario infants born with congenital measles from unvaccinated mothers, top doctor says
Social Sharing Ontario's chief medical officer of health says six infants have been born with congenital measles since an outbreak began last fall, adding they were infected in the womb through mothers who were not vaccinated. Dr. Kieran Moore says these infants recovered, but their infections could have been prevented if their mothers had been vaccinated and protected from contracting measles. Congenital measles can result in severe complications, including inflammation of the brain and death. On Thursday, Moore announced an infant born prematurely and infected with measles died in southwestern Ontario. He says the infant also faced other serious medical complications unrelated to the virus. In an interview with The Canadian Press, Moore says 40 pregnant people have been infected with measles in Ontario, and only two were vaccinated. Moore suggests unvaccinated pregnant people isolate if they live in a community with active measles cases. Health officials have reported more than 2,000 cases in the province since the outbreak began in October. The measles mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine is not recommended once a person is pregnant because it contains a live virus that could theoretically be transmitted to the fetus. Measles-infected Ontario newborn dies in outbreak's 1st fatality 3 days ago Duration 2:04 An Ontario infant born prematurely and infected with measles has died in the first fatality of a growing provincial outbreak. Health officials say the baby contracted measles before birth and that the mother was unvaccinated. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends unvaccinated pregnant people get one dose of intravenous immunoglobulin within six days if they are exposed to measles. However, Moore said that message faces hurdles similar to those around vaccine hesitancy. "Some people, if they don't want a vaccine, they may not want the immunoglobulin either. That may be a philosophical choice," Moore said Friday. Most pregnant people in Ontario fully vaccinated: Moore In an editorial published Monday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, Dr. Catherine Varner argues pregnant people are "bearing the burden" of Canada's measles outbreak. "Pregnant people are often at higher risk than the general population in infectious disease outbreaks. As such, they cannot be an afterthought in preventive strategies and health-care systems' responses," Varner writes. Moore said the vast majority of pregnant people in Ontario are fully vaccinated against measles. "It's only a very small subgroup of people who have chosen not to get vaccinated who are having the complications," he said. "I know some will concentrate on the glass being half-empty. You know, to have that level of protection in the face of the risks globally, I think is quite an accomplishment.
CNN
3 days ago
- Health
- CNN
As measles spreads across the Americas, outbreaks in Mexico and Canada have also turned deadly
As measles cases in the United States continue to mount, neighboring countries Canada and Mexico are also experiencing significant outbreaks – all of which have been linked to at least one death. On Thursday, the chief medical officer of health of the Canadian province Ontario announced that an infant who was born prematurely with a measles infection had died. 'The infant contracted the virus before birth from their mother, who had not received the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine,' Dr. Kieran Moore said in a statement. '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.' At least four people have died from measles in Mexico in 2025, and three people have died in the US: two children in Texas and one adult in New Mexico, all of whom were unvaccinated. This years' measles outbreaks are the biggest that Canada and Mexico have seen in decades, and the World Health Organization has warned that the 'overall risk of measles in the Americas Region is considered high.' Low vaccination rates are a key driver of this elevated risk assessment, the agency said. Mexico has reported at least 1,520 measles cases as of late May, according to data from the Pan American Health Organization. Canada reached measles elimination status in 1998, meaning that there has not been continuous spread of the virus for more than a year. But there have already been more cases reported so far this year than there were in the previous 27 years combined. At least 2,755 measles cases have been reported in Canada so far this year, according to federal data that was last updated on Monday, the vast majority of those which have been in Ontario residents. And the US has reported at least 1,168 measles cases so far this year, according to federal data published Friday – nearly 80% of which are associated with an outbreak centered in West Texas that has spread to New Mexico, Oklahoma and possibly Canada. It's the second highest number of cases that the US has reported since achieving measles elimination status in 2000. Significant shares of the measles outbreaks in the US, Canada and Mexico have been concentrated in Mennonite communities that are closely connected to each other – and that have historically had low vaccination rates due largely to minimal interactions with formal health care systems. However, in a recent webinar, experts from the Pan American Health Organization did not formally link outbreaks in the three countries to each other. 'The outbreak [in Mexico] started in Chihuahua, at the heart of Mennonite communities, who were very close to Texas through the border, but they're also close to other Mennonite communities in Canada,' Dr. Alvaro Whittembury, regional adviser for the Comprehensive Immunization Special Program, said in a presentation on Wednesday. 'It's important to show that although at first the outbreak starts in Mennonite communities … the vast majority of cases are outside of these communities, and they are sustained in the general population.' Only a small share of confirmed cases in the Americas have identified genetic sequences, experts from the Pan American Health Organization said, and there haven't been enough identical sequences to explicitly link cases across countries. In April, Mexico issued a warning for people traveling to the US and Canada due to high measles case rates. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has also stepped up its guidance for travelers, advising that anyone traveling internationally should be vaccinated with two doses of the MMR vaccine. '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,' Moore said in his statement Thursday. 'This vaccine has been safely used for over 50 years and is highly effective. Two doses provide nearly 100 per cent protection.'
CTV News
4 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Possible measles exposure in Labour and Delivery ward of Brantford hospital
The Brantford General Hospital is seen on Nov. 18, 2024. (Colton Wiens/CTV News) Grand Erie Public Health is warning of a potential measles exposure at a hospital in Brantford. In a news release on Thursday, the health unit said anyone who was at Brantford General Hospital's Labour and Delivery Ward may have been exposed to the illness between 8:06 p.m. and 11:06 p.m. on May 26. Babies can contract measles from their mothers while in utero. On Thursday, Ontario's chief medical officer of health announced an unborn infant had contracted the disease before birth, was born prematurely and had died. Dr. Kieran Moore also said the child's mother had not been vaccinated against the illness. According to an epidemiological summary published by Public Health Ontario every Thursday, 273 cases of measles have been reported within the Grand Erie Public Health unit since Oct. 28, 2024. The number represents an increase of 25 cases since last week. 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.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Death of infant infected with measles in southwestern Ontario
An infant born prematurely with a measles infection in southwestern Ontario has died. The infant contracted the virus before birth from their mother, who was unvaccinated against measles, said Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Kieran Moore in a statement. 'This is devastating news for the community, and we offer our heartfelt thoughts to the family. We will not be sharing additional details at this time to respect the family's privacy,' said Dr. Ninh Tran, medical officer of health at Southwestern Public Health in a statement. 'This event underscores the seriousness of measles in pregnant individuals, as it can cause low birth weight for the baby, preterm birth, and miscarriage. Measles can also cause pneumonia, brain swelling and death, with infants and immunocompromised individuals especially vulnerable to these risks. The safest and most effective way to protect yourself from measles is through immunization,' said Dr. Tran.
