Latest news with #RegionofWaterlooPublicHealth
CTV News
28-04-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Potential measles exposure at Bachman-Turner Overdrive concert in Kitchener
The Kitchener Memorial Auditorium is seen in this file photo. Anyone who went to the Bachman-Turner Overdrive concert at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium earlier this month may have been exposed to the measles virus. In a release on Monday, Region of Waterloo Public Health encouraged anyone who was at the concert on Thursday, April 24, between 6 p.m. and 1 a.m., to monitor for symptoms. Symptoms to watch out for Anyone who may have been exposed to the measles virus, even for a short time, is encouraged to monitor for symptoms. The disease is highly contagious and can be spread through the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes. Measles symptoms typically begin seven to 21 days after exposure and may include a fever, runny nose, cough, red watery eyes, small white spots on the inside of the mouth and throat and a red blotchy rash. Other complications can include diarrhea, ear infections and pneumonia. In severe cases, measles can lead to brain inflammation and death. Anyone who suspects they may have measles is encouraged to stay home and avoid contact with others. If seeking medical treatment, call your health provider ahead of time so they can take steps to prevent the virus from spreading to others.
CBC
01-04-2025
- Health
- CBC
Waterloo region now has 14 cases of measles, possible exposure at Kitchener ER
Social Sharing Waterloo region now has 14 confirmed cases of measles, which is up from just three cases last week, public health officials said Tuesday. This comes as Ontario has been experiencing a rise in cases of the vaccine-preventable virus in recent weeks. In a release sent out Tuesday, Region of Waterloo Public Health said people could have possibly been exposed at this location on Saturday, March 29: Grand River Hospital's emergency department, 835 King Street West, Kitchener from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. (now known as WRHN @ Midtown). A previous release said exposures may have happened on Friday, March 21 at these places: Pharmasave Campus at 170 University Ave. W. in Waterloo from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Shoppers Drug Mart at 50 Weber St. N. in Waterloo from 12:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Anyone who may have been exposed at the locations should contact the public health unit immediately if they fall under these three categories: They are immunocompromised. They are pregnant. They are a child or adult born or after 1970 who is unvaccinated or has only received one dose of measles vaccine. Anyone living in Waterloo region can call 519-575-4400 to reach a public health official. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world. The World Health Organization says the virus can remain active in the air or on infected surfaces for up to two hours. It usually begins with a fever, cough, runny nose and red watery eyes, followed by a red blotchy rash that starts on the face and spreads to the body and limbs. The virus can lead to pneumonia, inflammation of the brain and death.
CBC
21-03-2025
- Health
- CBC
Waterloo region reports 1st confirmed measles case in 6 years
Social Sharing Public health officials in Waterloo region have confirmed a local case of measles for the first time since 2019. This comes as Ontario saw a sharp increase in measles cases this week. Thursday, Public Health Ontario reported 470 measles cases since an outbreak began in October. That's an increase of 120 cases since March 14. "Measles is highly contagious and spreads easily among those who are unvaccinated," Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, Region of Waterloo Public Health's medical officer of health, said in a release on Friday. "Vaccination remains the most effective way to limit the spread and protect yourself and your loved ones from serious illness," Wang said. Anyone who may have visited a medical building at 51 Benton St. in Kitchener on Tuesday, March 18 from 4:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. should contact their local public health unit immediately if they fall under these three categories: They are immunocompromised. They are pregnant. They are a child or adult born or after 1970 who is unvaccinated or has only received one dose of measles vaccine. Anyone living in Waterloo region can call 519-575-4400 to reach a public health official. Region of Waterloo Public Health confirmed they are working to find others who may have been exposed. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world. The World Health Organization says the virus can remain active in the air or on infected surfaces for up to two hours. It usually begins with a fever, cough, runny nose and red watery eyes, followed by a red blotchy rash that starts on the face and spreads to the body and limbs. The virus can lead to pneumonia, inflammation of the brain and death.
CBC
28-02-2025
- Health
- CBC
Nearly 9K elementary students in Waterloo region with out-of-date vaccination records face suspension
As measles cases continue to rise in Ontario, public health officials in Waterloo region have issued nearly 9,000 suspension orders to elementary school children who don't have up-to-date vaccination records. In a release sent out Friday, Region of Waterloo Public Health tell families they have five weeks to update vaccination records, get vaccinated or apply for an exemption. If these steps aren't taken, the 8,981 children who have been contacted by public health will be suspended from school starting April 2. "Vaccination protects everyone and keeps schools healthy by stopping the spread of serious and preventable disease," Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang, Waterloo region's medical officer of health said in the release. "Children who are not vaccinated are at increased risk of getting infections and spreading diseases to others. The enforcement of the Immunization of School Pupils Act is critical for ensuring the health and wellbeing of our community." The suspension orders are based on the vaccine records reported on or before Feb. 4. Families can update immunization records on the Region of Waterloo's website under "vaccine reporting." Largest outbreak of measles in 30 years The orders comes at a time when 78 new measles cases were identified in Ontario over the course of two weeks. On Thursday, public health officials called it the largest outbreak the province has seen in almost 30 years. The new cases bring Ontario's total this year to just over 140, far surpassing the 101 total infections recorded in the province between 2013 and 2023. The epicentre of Ontario's outbreak has been in the Southwestern and Grand Erie public health regions. Health officials said the concentration of cases in unvaccinated people could explain how quickly the outbreak spread over the last two weeks. As a result of the outbreak, 18 kids have been hospitalized in Ontario, including one who required intensive care. Dr. Sarah Khan, an associate professor in the pediatrics department at McMaster University, said on Thursday that people are at risk because vaccination rates have gone down and it's important that people keep their immunization records up to date. "It's probably good we all just know our status because if you get that call from public health, they're going to ask you: 'Are you sure you're immune?' And you're going have to provide that proof," Khan said. "And so, I think it's just better we all kind of check that and get caught up." Khan said prevention is key to stopping the spread of measles and prevention means vaccination. She said if there is a community that is "entirely non-immune," it will spread rapidly within that community.
