Her daughter just finished cancer treatment. Now this Windsor, Ont., mom is worrying about measles

A concerned parent in Windsor is speaking out after public health officials confirmed a case of measles in the community. The parent, Adriana Unis, has a one-year-old daughter named Willow who recently finished cancer treatment and is too immunocompromised to receive vaccines.

Unis expressed her fear, stating that serious illnesses like measles could be fatal for her daughter. Even a fever could land Willow in the emergency room. Despite completing cancer treatment, Unis and her family remain on high alert for any signs of illness.

The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) recently announced a confirmed case of measles at Cornerstone Christian Academy in Ruthven, along with two possible exposure points in the community. This comes as measles cases have been on the rise in Ontario, with nearly 200 confirmed or suspected cases, mostly among children.

Symptoms of measles include fever, cough, watery eyes, runny nose, and a red rash. Severe complications can arise, leading to hospitalization. In Ontario, 18 unvaccinated children have been hospitalized, with the possibility of death, although rare. The measles vaccine is highly effective, with nearly 100% efficacy with two doses.

Despite the effectiveness of the vaccine, there are concerns about lower vaccination rates in the community. Lauren Meadows, a retired public health nurse with chronic illnesses, emphasized the importance of more people getting vaccinated to prevent the spread of measles.

In Ontario, elementary and high school students are required to receive the measles vaccine, unless they have a valid exemption for medical, conscious, or religious reasons. The health unit recently suspended nearly 400 students with incomplete immunization records.

Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, WECHU’s medical officer of health, expressed concern about the local measles case and emphasized the need for close contact management. The health unit advises anyone showing symptoms of measles to isolate at home and contact a healthcare provider.

Unis is particularly worried about her four-year-old son, who is vaccinated, potentially bringing the virus home to her daughter. She believes vaccine exemptions should be strictly for medical reasons, not personal preference, and is concerned about misinformation about vaccines spreading on social media.

Overall, Unis stresses the importance of vaccines, citing scientific evidence of their effectiveness. With measles making a comeback in the community, she urges parents to prioritize vaccination to protect vulnerable individuals like her daughter, Willow.