Highest case count of measles in Ontario is south of London, with overall numbers climbing
The recent outbreak of measles in Oxford County, Elgin County, and the City of St. Thomas has become a major concern for public health officials. With a total of 228 confirmed cases, the region is grappling with nearly half of the measles cases in Ontario, most of which involve unvaccinated children.
Dr. Ninh Tran, the medical officer of health for Southwestern Public Health (SWPH), has emphasized the dangers of measles and debunked the misconception that getting the disease provides immunity. While natural immunity can occur after contracting measles, the risks associated with the illness are significant. These include pneumonia, brain infections, brain swelling, and complications for pregnant individuals such as low birth weight, preterm birth, and miscarriage.
As of the latest update from Public Health Ontario, there have been a total of 470 measles cases since the outbreak began in October. The breakdown of cases by region is as follows: Southwestern Public Health (223), Grand Erie Public Health (111), Huron Perth Public Health (42), South East Health (35), Chatham-Kent Public Health (20), Windsor-Essex County Health (15), Niagara Region Public Health (9), Grey Bruce Health Unit (8), North Bay Parry Sound District (5), Middlesex-London Health Unit (1), and Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph (1).
Dr. Tran has also highlighted the long-term health concerns associated with measles, including seizures, hearing loss, intellectual disability, and other neurological problems. Measles-related pneumonia can lead to respiratory issues or scarring in children, while a rare but fatal brain disorder called subacute sclerosing panencephalitis can develop years after the initial infection.
In an effort to curb the spread of measles, SWPH has expanded its vaccination program to include a first dose for infants aged six to 11 months. Despite the availability of the measles vaccine since the 1970s, there has been a push for increased vaccination rates to protect the community.
In response to a single case of measles in London, London Health Sciences (LHSC) has implemented visitor restrictions to prevent further transmission. Measles is highly contagious and can linger in the environment for up to two hours after an infected person has left. One infected individual has the potential to spread the disease to up to 20 others.
It is crucial for individuals to be aware of the symptoms of measles, which initially resemble those of a common respiratory infection like the cold or flu. With an average incubation period of 10 days, early detection and vaccination are key in preventing the spread of this highly contagious virus.
