Latest news with #congenitalmeasles
National Post
11 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
13 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.
