Dramatic measles outbreaks worry health officials

The rise of measles cases in Canada has been a cause for concern, with 95 cases reported so far this year in comparison to 147 cases for the entirety of last year. Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer, emphasized the importance of vaccination in preventing the spread of the virus.

The outbreak that spans several provinces began in October in New Brunswick, where a traveler infected with measles from Europe attended a wedding. This led to the transmission of the disease to a number of attendees who then spread it to their own communities, particularly in under-immunized areas.

In southwestern Ontario’s Grand Erie Public Health region, the outbreak has been moving rapidly since it started before Christmas. Dr. Malcolm Lock, the region’s acting medical officer of health, highlighted the dangerous complications of measles, particularly in children, including respiratory problems, pneumonia, meningitis, and encephalitis.

Measles is highly contagious and can lead to high hospitalization rates. It is estimated that one to three out of every 1,000 children infected with measles may die from complications such as pneumonia and brain damage. Dr. Sarah Wilson of Public Health Ontario stated that the province is expecting to add 50 to 60 new cases to their tally, making it their largest outbreak in over 25 years.

In Manitoba, health officials have confirmed five cases connected to the Ontario outbreak, emphasizing the need for vaccination as there is no specific treatment for measles. Prevention through vaccination is crucial, with two doses of the measles vaccine recommended for full protection in both adults and children.

While measles was eliminated in Canada in 1998 through widespread vaccination, cases still occur sporadically, often among unvaccinated individuals. Recent outbreaks in Quebec and Ontario have been linked to poor vaccine uptake, highlighting the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage.

Public health officials are urging people to ensure their immunizations are up to date, especially before traveling this spring. With measles outbreaks also occurring in other parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and Africa, it is crucial to prioritize vaccination to prevent further spread of the virus.